25%

I read recently that 25% of New Zealand's population weren't born in New Zealand.  That means that 1 out of every 4 people in this country was born somewhere else and immigrated here in their lifetime.  I have done an experiment in some of the classes I have relieved in whereby I've asked the children who of them wasn't born in NZ and sure enough 1/4 or more raise their hands.  I then ask them where they were born and get such an array of answers!  The younger the children, the fewer who were born outside of NZ, but many of their parents were born elsewhere. 

We definitely live in a country full of immigrants (at least the corner we live in).  This brings with it so many dynamics, one of which is definitely the mood at Christmas time.  Special occasions and I think, especially Christmas, can go from being 'the most wonderful time of the year' to the saddest time of the year.  So many things are different.  Many of the traditions we've grown up with have to change because our circumstances and location has so drastically changed.  Family members aren't nearby. The food is different.  The way the neighbours celebrate Christmas is different.  (hardly anyone puts up lights!)  And when you move from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere, the climate is extraordinarily

 different! 

The sensory triggers aren't there to remind you that Christmas and all it's magic are just around the corner.  The locals, for whom nothing has changed, can make off-hand comments that inadvertently and unknowingly add to the mixed emotions that the immigrant is dealing with.  For a kiwi, the sunshine, blooming Pohutakawa trees, beckoning beaches and warming ocean, are all their triggers that Christmas is on it's way and the family barbeque at the beach is the traditional way to celebrate on Christmas Day.  For the Northern Hemisphere immigrant these things are a novelty at first but quickly just about become a mockery of our longing for a snowy landscape, crisp winter air and gently falling snowflakes landing on our snow covered Christmas lights while inside the fire crackles, the eggnog awaits, and family is on it's way to gather around a heavy laden table complete with a turkey dinner and all it's fixings.

It's a tough time of the year, one that brings tears to many eyes, homesickness to many hearts, old memories to cherish and family to miss.  But in the true spirit of the courageous immigrant, who leaves all that is known and comfortable to live in lands unknown, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, wipe away our tears, hug each other close and carry on to create new traditions that build new memories, to support others in the same situation as ourselves, to treasure the heritage we have been blessed with and the memories we do hold dear and to know that life is a constant change no matter where we are or who we are and it's up to us how we deal with it and the attitude we will have. 

This blog is about the traditions associated with Christmas and how our emotions are attached to those traditions.  But it also is about the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of our Saviour, the hope of the world, which gives us the strength, courage and hope to live in a different land and carry on.  Without my relationship with Jesus, I don't think I could handle doing this!  Jesus gives me all that I need to get through these tough times.  He is my constant, my hope, my best friend.  And ultimately He is what Christmas is all about - the rest is the stuff us humans add to the season.

Merry Christmas to all and a very blessed 2011.