Tranquil New York

"I`m going to the chapel to attend mass with my family on Christmas Eve, and next day I will have a family gathering, exchanging gifts."

Mr. Daniel Wang (27, Stanford University Graduate School) plans to spend this Christmas with his family in his hometown in Texas, even though he has been very busy working on his dissertation. He said to the reporter over the telephone, "Most people went back to their homes, instead of taking a trip with their friends."

The U.S.`s newspapers reported that the activities pursuing the spiritual peace have been overwhelming the shopping fever, mentioning the escalating concerns with family and religion since the 9.11 terrorist attacks.

75 writers and poets had a public reading meeting for spiritual awakening titled `Crisis and Reflection, In the Healing Time` in a Christian book store in Los Angeles, the AFP reported yesterday.

It was a greatest topic of conversation that `the secret Santa` who was once a homeless person has shared his wealth to poor people every year since he became a successful businessman.

He has secretly delivered several million dollars to the needy so far for about 20 years. And this year he spread about 25,000 dollars to dozens of needy New Yorkers in Manhattan for three days.

"Money does not matter. Shared fortune brings more happiness."

American people are spending this Christmas season more quietly and warmly than previous years.

Jung-Ahn Kim credo@donga.com