– There is much that intensifies when you are abroad. Not least, the longing for traditions to be strong around Christmas for many, says foreign manager in the Seamen’s Church, Asbjørn Vilkensen.
Seamen’s Church will soon organize Christmas for thousands of Norwegians around the world. The events are a tradition as old as the church itself, that is almost 150 years of age.
It appears like a tear in the corner of your eye in some of these events
to taste Norwegian Christmas food, hear Norwegian Christmas carols and get the Christmas story read in Norwegian far, far from home can be a powerful experience for many.
– It appears like a tear in the corner of your eye in some of these events, says Vilkensen.
There are many opportunities for Norwegians with Christmas withdrawal in exile, and the Seamen’s Church has events for all of its 32 permanent churches.
- All the churches organize my acquaintance Christmas service, and most also have other events such as dinner and Christmas party, says Vilkensen.
Do you have a special experience to celebrate Norwegian Christmas abroad? Tell us about it!
Christmas Priests offshore
tradition of Christmas celebrations in churches sailor has only strengthened over the years, but audiences have changed.
– It gets longer between mariners, while students, expatriates, tourists and other groups increases, says Vilkensen.
In addition to the regular church premises, the Seamen’s Church an online church, five student priests, seven ambulatory sailor priests and ten North Sea ministers who can contribute to the Christmas spirit for those who do not come home.
– This year we have also engaged 35 additional Christmas priests to oil platforms in the North Sea. The Ekofisk will also transfer the sound from bells to Stavanger Cathedral when Christmas comes around.
Christmas arrangements to Seamen’s Church has long been popular and are selling increases with increasing number of Norwegians living abroad at Christmas.
– That’s why you can notify your arrival to the current church, if you know you will be using. Please contact us right away so they know how many are coming, advises Vilkensen.
Students July
Another institution that helps many Norwegians to get into the Christmas spirit abroad Ansa – Student Association for Norwegian students abroad.
Ansa not sponsor alcohol for members, but we are talking after all about students
It is however less emphasis on tradition and more on the gathering, according to the organization’s president Vibeke Munhte-Kaas.
– I’ve even celebrated Christmas in Sydney, and then we went and grilled on the beach on Christmas Eve.
Unlike Seamen’s Church Christmas events, Christmas celebrations ANSA rarely completely soft.
- Ansa not sponsor alcohol for members, but we are talking after all about the students, so people are happy with what they will drink even says Munthe-Kaas.
Open to all
Ansa has around 10,000 members and local associations in 25 countries. Most students come home for Christmas, but for those farthest away, such as in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China and South Africa, it is not always easy.
– We believe ANSA Christmas events have contributed to several actually dare to be away at Christmas, when they are given an opportunity to be with like-minded, says Munthe-Kaas.
information about ANSA Christmas Events spread love to direct its members, the local branch ‘Facebook pages and via Ansa blog.
It is also possible for others to join and Munthe-Kaas recommend those who wish to contact the local Ansa Association where they are in season.
– We as a policy that all initially invited, but members receive information directly, a less expensive ticket and are given priority if there would be limited space.
Christmas Celebrations at the Seamen’s Church
time before Christmas arranged Christmas parties, bazaars and Lucia celebrations in sailor churches worldwide.
On the Christmas Eve Christmas service course in sailor churches. In addition, hosts many of the churches Christmas celebration with food for those who are far from home.
Here are some of the biggest Christmas marks Seamen’s Church in 2013. See the church’s own website for updates and additional information.
Subject to omissions and changes.
Europe
- In Albir Villajoyosa there is room for 80 guests around the table on Christmas Eve after the two Christmas sermons.
- On the Costa del Sol there are two Christmas church services with the dramatization of Christmas in the Seamen’s Church El Campanario, before it becomes Christmas Eve followed by Christmas tree once and entertainment. There is also the Christmas buffet 1.juledag, followed by solemn worship.
- On Lanzarote are invited to sing-along, cakes and coffee, and Christmas distinguished entertainment.
- Torrevieja invite to the Christmas party with ribs, Christmas tree once and a surprise at the end.
- Gran Canaria has a huge punch in December and offers both Christmas church services, Christmas Eve, Christmas party and New Year celebration.
- In London it is packed program throughout December, and Christmas is the Christmas church services throughout the day from 11 am to 21:30, at various locations. It also invited to Christmas dinner with lamb ribs and rib
- In Copenhagen there will be Christmas service and Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by the solemn church service 1 Christmas Day.
- In Stockholm you can see the Christmas service on Christmas Eve. The following day the solemn worship. January 6 is the Christmas party, and last year met over a hundred children to this event!
- In Aberdeen, drop by the Seamen’s Church during the day to catch up on Norwegian Christmas spirit. There will also be festive church service 1 Christmas Day.
- In Belgium you can see the sailor church Christmas service throughout three different locations: Antwerp, Waterloo and Brussels.
- In Switzerland held Christmas service at Geneva Christmas Eve.
- In Berlin becomes the manger collection and Christmas service on Christmas and holiday worship 1.juledag.
Australia
- In Sydney there will be collection of porridge and Christmas cookies after the service on Christmas Eve.
Asia
- In Dubai is gathered 120 people to Christmas dinner for the two Christmas sermons. 2 Christmas Day invite seamen to desert the church worship service with Christmas games.
- In Okpo becomes solemn occasion including readings of the Christmas story before Christmas dinner included.
- In Pattaya gather 160 people for Christmas dinner after the service. Claus is coming too!
- Over 200 people are expected to attend the celebrations in Singapore.
USA
- In Houston there are two sermons before Christmas dinner.
- After the service there will be church coffee and Christmas tree time in Miami.
- In New York, the church service, Christmas Eve, Christmas tree cakes and once in the evening.
- Those in New Orleans can enjoy the Christmas service followed by Christmas ribs, caramel pudding and Christmas cookies.
- In Los Angeles becomes the Family service followed by Christmas dinner, Christmas tree once and a visit from Santa.
Where there is no separate sailor Church
Also in time before Christmas seek Norwegian Seamen’s Church environments where there is no seaman’s church.
- The crisis Philippines has sailor priest Stein Vangen six worship services and gatherings before Christmas. These traditional Christmas collections are extra important meeting places for years.
- Seaman Priest Steinar Rishaugveien include førjulsgudstjeneste Beijing, Busan and Tokyo .
- Seaman Priest Tormod Woxen visit including Jakarta, Brunei and Myanmar .
- Seaman priest John Arne Lund in Sydney have Christmas tour around the Australia
- Seaman Priest Anne Boland had Christmas tour in South America where among other went around the Christmas tree and sang “I walked me over sea and land” in a garden in Buenos Aires in 37 degrees.
- Seaman Priest Jan Olav Johannessen recently collected 50 Norwegians advent worship in Kathmandu in Nepal. His Christmas tour moves on to India, Sri Lanka, Egypt and then to Tunisia .
- In addition, the Seamen’s Church five student priests held a variety of Christmas celebrations for Norwegian students in Europe, USA and Australia .
Offshore
- 35 platforms are visited by seamen priests and volunteers that provides an appropriate Christmas celebration.
- Seamen’s Church staff also visits a number of offshore vessels along the Norwegian coast on Christmas Eve.
Celebrating Christmas with Ansa
Association of Norwegian Students Abroad is a network of some 10,000 members in more than 90 countries.
Some local associations in countries far away Norway tend to gather for informal gatherings at Christmas for those who have not gone home for the holidays.
ANSA Christmas events are basically open to everyone and spread information feel free to direct its members, the local branch ‘Facebook pages and via Ansa blog.
If you are not a member but would like to participate, please check the ANSA website if there is a local chapter in your location and contact.
Celebrating Christmas with the charter company
Wing
Winger says that like to decorate much for Christmas on their own hotels and almost all have a Scandinavian Christmas buffet at Christmas.
According PR manager Sophie Frisholm also tend company guides to dress up as goblins and visiting hotels with cakes and candies.
Star Tour
most Blue Village hotels to Star Tour Santa will appear and it will be served Scandinavian Christmas dinner.
Blue Village Bahia Feliz, Gran Canaria, it is also Christmas dinner with international cuisine, as well as Scandinavian influences like ribs. It hosts moreover santa workshop on Christmas Eve, and there are Christmas tree and various Christmas activities for young and old.
second Blue Village hotels around the world will be offered Santa and Teddy Bear Visits. Then you can order the Teddy Bear and Santa Claus to come to the room and deliver Christmas gifts. In the evening there will be Christmas and Christmas entertainment.
Apollo
Apollo has no separate Christmas events with Norwegian traditions.
Information Officer Helen Begby says that most of their customers will have traditional Christmas is on Gran Canaria, and uses the deals are there, primarily Seamen’s Church.
Yet the big hotels and resorts of happy Christmas menus and decorations, but thus rarely Norwegian Christmas specialties.
According Begby prefer many of their customers to go out and eat at a good restaurant on Christmas Eve, and gorge themselves either with local specialties rather than lutefisk, ribs and lamb ribs.
She believes missing after Norwegian Christmas food and traditions are stronger among Norwegians living permanently abroad, than in those that are only on vacation.
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