There is a first time for everything, especially when you have just moved to a new country with a new culture and traditions. Everyone who has tried to move from Denmark (or where you come from) to Canada will know this.

One of the things that I (and my family) look forward to with excitement is to celebrate Christmas for the first time in Canada. Christmas is a time of the year with many traditions - both in Canada and Denmark, and we are looking forward to be a part of the celebration far from what we are used to. 

I have the feeling that it here in Toronto the shops going crazy  with decorating, Christmas music and lots of celebration all over. 

I also have the feeling that in the Danish Church, you can still experience the best of the Danish Christmas, with "Nisser," Danish Christmas food, Danish Christmas carols and Christmas Hygge. It happens at the great Christmas Bazaar, when the Church invites to Christmas concert, to the Lucia Pageant and much more. It is all over the coming months (just have a look at calender in this magazine). 

There are many expectations and traditions associated with Christmas - both in Canada and Denmark. And in the rest of the world. But most of all, I am looking forward to the possibility of reading the Christmas Gospel (in both Danish and English) about the little Jesus child, when we are celebrating the Christmas services on December 24th and 25th in our Church. When I read these words from Luke 2: "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus"... or in Danish: "Men det skete i de dage... " - then it's for real Christmas. 

It's easy to forget in the Christmas rush, but after all Christmas is about the incredible story of the birth of Jesus.