My Experience in Christmas 2013

imaggine, Gordi

This is my first Christmas out of my country, Indonesia. In Indonesia, I seldom spend the Christmas Day in out of my home. In my city, Labuan Bajo, or other cities, Yogyakarta or Jakarta on Java Island. Now, it is wider, in other country, Italy. I want to tell about my experience of Christmas Day in this year. 

First, at 24 December. At 7.05 p.m., I followed the first vesper at Sanctuary Conforti. Vesper is the evening prayer at the liturgy of the Catholic Church. After that, I have lunch and then cleaned the plates.

After finishing this working, I checked my Facebook. I read many messages, quotes as a happy expression at a Christmas. The other expression appears at many imagine. I did not write one quote or one sentence in my wall Facebook but I responded many messages and comments to my friends.

At 11.15 p.m., I, and my friend, Simon went to St Christina Parish at Parma, Italy. This night was very cold. Nevertheless, fortunately do not fall rain. Whereas, at the evening there was rain. What it happens? Maybe I accept this grace from God. On the other hand, God has managed this time. He didn’t fall rain so that many people went to Church. Maybe yes maybe no. for me, it is a gift from God.

imaggine, Gordi

In the Church, I met the parish priest, Don Luciano. He was waiting his assembly. Some people were singing the Christmas Song. The Christmas Mass began at 12.oo p.m., midnight. Before it begins, I pray and then join in choir group. I want to know and want to sing with them. Many of them come from the African Continent, Nigeria, Cameroun and other country. I am alone from Asia and some people from Italy.

At 12.00 o'clock, the Mass began. We sang the famous song, The Silent Night in English and Italian language. Then, don Luciano give great for some families that come from London, Belgian, and French. Maybe the origin of them was Italian. They live in and working in the some cities in Europe.

When I am singing and listening this song, I remembered the Christmas mass in Indonesia, in Jakarta, in Yogyakarta, in Flores (my villages). This is a famous song at 24 December. I remember at one moment then come back to real situations.

imaggine, Gordi

However, I am in Italy, in Parma, and following the Christmas mass. I want to use this time very well. I try to understand the sermon (preaching) of don Luciano. I can understand some quoting but not all. However, I get the main point of that. That point is that God has always been with us. This point comes from the word, “Emanuel” that be significant God be with us. In Italian, that is Dio con noi. What we can do if God with us? “We must get up”, said don Luciano. Get up from our lazy or careless, our mistake, and so on. For me, this is an important point from the Christmas this year.

After mass, I shake hands with some people (adult, young, and some children, and to don Luciano) and said, Merry Christmas. Then we come back to our community. It was at 1.30 a.m. After 30 minutes, we arrived. Some friends were waiting us. Moreover, some friends don't arrive yet. We were waiting all friends because we want to make a little party at this time. We drank the wine, syrup, Coca-Cola and ate some type of bread. Panettone, in Italian. This is a simple matter to build a unity and fraternity. After that, at 2.30, I went to my room to sleep. I was tired so that I need longer rest.

Second, At 25 December

Today, I got up at 7.30 p.m. I took a bath then went to chapel for praying. Then, I have breakfast. At 10.15, I went to a parish, attend the Eucharist and come back at 12.15. I have lunch at Casa Madre (Mother House). I didn’t an activity except take a nap at this evening. At night, after dinner, I checked my Facebook and then I was sleeping at 11 p.m.

imaggine, Gordi, Brescia, Italy

There were 2 points that more important for me. These are newly. I look for these when I try to reply the asking from my friends. They always give me asking, how is about your first Christmas in Italy? What is different between Christmas in your country and in Italy?

First, the situation before Christmas day. In Italy, there was much decoration light and Christmas tree at street and other public places since 1 December before Christmas Day. In my country, these appear about 3 weeks before Christmas Day.

Second, in Italy, it does not tend at Church. In my country there was many tend for the peoples. At a big feast like Christmas or Easter, usually, come many people. Maybe in Italy, many people spread at many churches. This is my little experiences in the first Christmas in Italy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Parma, 27 December 2013

Gordi