New Zealand is not the most popular place to spend Christmas. Most of the people chose to go to Europe and participate in Christmas Markets. They sometimes attend Christmas carols’ concerts. There are many things in Europe that you cannot find in New Zealand, at least not at this time of the year. There is no snow because it is the middle of the summer. There are no Christmas trees all over the place because most of people go to the beach and have their barbecue on Christmas day. There are no Christmas carols played months in advance. And you simply don’t feel like Christmas. Last week I was complaining about all of this to my best friend. It’s so hard to feel Christmas here, I was saying. There is no darkness that help you focus, there is no smell of ginger bread in the kitchen, there is no snow, well there is nothing here like European Christmas. And he told me a very important thing: this is just perfect opportunity for you to focus on what is the most important part of Christmas. Birth of God. And suddenly I realised how true it is! Yes, all of these nice traditions may help you to feel the coming Christmas but what I think often happens is that it distracts you. You can easily use shopping, cooking and cleaning as an excuse for not doing more important things. And you will still have a feeling that you prepare yourself for Christmas time. So this year I’m spending Christmas totally different and I think I’m really enjoying it very much. There will be a Midnight Mass with a local community, Christmas carols sing by children and the real Christmas will happen. Merry Christmas everyone. I wish you the most beautiful time of the year, full of joy, peace and hope. Let yourself lost in thoughts about one important day two thousands years ago and a little baby that has changed everything.  

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