Greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus,

who came to be with us on the first Christmas

and who is with us still.

Christmas came in mid-November here at Kodaikanal International School.Before school lets out for the winter holidays and the students return to their homes all around the globe, we tell the Christmas story, sing the songs and carols and even have a Christmas Banquet.For many of our students this is the only Christmas celebration they will know.At the elementary school some of the students had the experience of being in a Christmas pageant for the first time – Sangye, a girl from Bhutan was Mary; Joseph was played by Sahil, a boy from Sri Lanka.Most of the angels in this picture are from Christian families who are on the staff of our school.

The whole school took the opportunity to gather together for an assembly to focus on the celebration of Christmas.The Strings Ensemble lead the singing of carols and the scripture passage about the birth of Jesus was read.A high school boy sang a Tamil Christmas song and the school chaplain shared some thoughts.

On November 14th we had a "Christmas Sunday" lead by the Praise and Worship Team, which Dave leads, Anna plays the piano, and Lisa sings.We lit the candles on the advent wreath and gave thanks for the best Christmas gift of all, the gift of Jesus.

We look forward to Christmas again now that it is December – to a candle lit Christmas Eve service in the school chapel, to sharing Christmas cookies with the children of a local day care center, to having 2 high school exchange students with us for the week of Christmas.

May each of you be blessed by the assurance of the love and grace of our great God this Christmas time and all year long!

David and Betsy Perkins

Anna, Lisa and Kara