Christmas across the world: through the eyes of CMS missionary kids
We asked some children from CMS missionary families to share what they enjoy about Christmas celebrations where they live, and how it is different to Australia. Here’s what they had to say!
This article is part three of the series, ‘Let every heart prepare him room: proclaiming the gospel at Christmas time’. Part one is here. Part two is here.
Long celebrations in Chile
Theo
My favourite thing about Christmas is celebrating with my family and friends. Chileans celebrate La Noche Buena (‘the Good Night’) on Christmas Eve. Everyone sleeps in on Christmas Day, except us!
Eli
I love counting down to Christmas with our advent calendar. Every day we read a verse from the Christmas story, and we do activities like making cookies! In Chile people celebrate on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. They start celebrating at about 8pm and open presents at midnight!
Nate
I like doing the advent calendar and opening presents on Christmas Day!
Simple joys in Tanzania
Elliot
I like the Christmas Advent game we play, where Mama and Dadda hide a star around the house each day, and we move our Wise Men to that spot. Dadda’s often away at Christmas for camps with the evangelical student group. There are no bonbons or relatives to spend the day with, which means less presents too!
Callum
Mama always makes rocky road*! We have no Christmas tree in Tanzania, just our Jesse Tree.
*Mama’s edit: this is because in our first year, marshmallows were the only sweet we could get, but I found some cooking chocolate, so a tradition was born!
Outback festivities in Broome, Australia
Ezra
I like the Christmas carols at our church and going to the Christmas markets leading up to Christmas.
Daniel
I like the big thunderstorms that often come around Christmas time after many months of dry season.
Emily
In Broome they hang Christmas decorations in the big boab trees (see photo).
Smaller celebrations in Japan
Albert
I like not having to go anywhere on Christmas Day. I find the Christmas lights and decorations at the mall can be overwhelming!
Leo
The lead up to Christmas is less stressful here because there are fewer traditions than in Australia! Christmas isn’t as important here, and many people don’t have a deep understanding of what it means. Work and school often continue as normal on Christmas Day.
Ellie
I enjoy the aesthetic of a cold Christmas! Something that’s different here is that there aren’t many original Christmas carols written in Japanese.
Two days of Christmas in the Philippines
Katelyn
The thing I enjoy the most about celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is that we essentially get two days of Christmas–two days of feasting and gifts! The main Christmas celebrations are on Christmas Eve (Noche Buenas), so we usually spend Christmas Day celebrating ‘Australian style’ with our family.
Joshua
My favourite thing about Christmas in the Philippines is that the Christmas season starts in September (the ‘Ber’ Months)! This means four months of Christmas Carols, and eventually two days of getting together with relatives for lots of gifts and food.
Caleb
Christmas in the Philippines isn’t that different to Australia. The main difference is that we have to stay up until 1am on Christmas Eve. I love that my Grandma and other relatives can spend Christmas with us!
Unusual traditions in the Netherlands
Josiah
I really enjoy eating the ‘oliebollen’ (donut balls) around Christmas time! Unlike in Australia, the Dutch give presents to children on Sinterklaas (6 December) instead of on Christmas Day.
Annabelle
We have a big bay window in our house, and, like many of our neighbours, we put Christmas lights and other decorations there during the month of December. The Dutch version of Santa is Sinterklaas, who is a bishop, who is not jolly, and who arrives every year from Spain on a boat!
Christmas for missionary kids on location looks very different to most Australian kids. While the new traditions, foods, gifts and celebrations can be exciting, it can also be a difficult time to be away from family and friends. Why not send a letter or email to a missionary kid or family to let them know you’re praying for them? This is a small way you can partner with missionary families as they share the gospel on location this Christmas!
PRAY
Pray that missionary kids would enjoy celebrating Christmas on location and be bold in taking up opportunities to share about Jesus with their friends at this time.
