My Experience in Christmas 2013
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| 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.
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| imaggine, Gordi |
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.
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| 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.
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| 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
