Geoff Schoenberg

One challenge of studying and living abroad comes during the time around the holidays. This is the second time I have spent Christmas away from home. The first time was Christmas 2007 when I was doing the backpacker thing. Asides from being in Australia, the two experiences have been incredibly different. In 2007, six of us lost souls cooped up in a one bedroom apartment and shared our overseas Christmas together. We shared our Christmas traditions and with each other. We made some fantastic meals topped off by a very traditional Christmas dinner. I can’t speak for everyone (although I’ve been known to try) but it felt like Christmas was as good as it could be away from home. When I think of the important parts of Christmas to me (family, friends, church, good food, the sharing of gifts and other traditions) many of those were met that year.

Christmas 2009 has been a much different experience. In 2007 there were many of us away from home. This year, I’ve been on my own in my “awayness”. My Australian friends and classmates are either at home or went home for Christmas. This has meant I’ve spent a lot more time on my own. Because of this I’ve had time to reflect and realize what makes Christmas special for me. I went to church on Christmas Eve and sang Silent Night in a darkened church with candles. I shared a delicious meal and drank some fantastic wine (a whole other blog post to come on this). I spent time with people I care about. I spoke with family and basked in beautiful sunlight (okay, that’s a new tradition, but one I enjoyed!). Obviously there are plenty of Christmas traditions that I wasn’t able to do this year, but I’ve learned not to focus on the missed activities. Plus, I know they will be even more meaningful next year.

I have to say thank you to everyone who helped me feel welcome in Australia. Thank you for sharing worship with me. Thanks to those who opened their homes to me. Thanks for sharing your food and drink with me. I probably received at least ten different invitations to Christmas dinner/lunch and wish I could have attended all. I feel I could have knocked on any door and asked to join the meal and I would have been welcome.

Also, thank you to those who made me miss home. Your messages and well wishings have meant a lot. It’s weird to feel sad and loved at the same time. I love hearing the stories of your lives and the fun you are having and it’s nice to know that I am missed as well.

I was extremely nervous about this Christmas. In the end, tears were shed, friendships were created, traditions skipped a year, worship was shared and Christmas was celebrated in a slightly different way.

Blessings to all.