As we approach the end of another year, we extend our heartfelt wishes to all members of the Lakes Grammar – An Anglican School community for a joyous, safe, and restful holiday season.
While Christmas is a time filled with cherished traditions for many, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the diverse ways we celebrate this season within an inclusive community.
Lakes Grammar, rooted in the Anglican tradition, proudly welcomes and respects the beliefs and customs of all its families.
In this spirit, the school is delighted to share two unique perspectives on Christmas: one from a student, Ibrahim, and the other from staff member, Cynthia.
These stories offer a glimpse into how the festive season is a time of family connection and meaningful traditions, even when celebrated in different ways.
Lakes Grammar hopes the reflections inspire a sense of togetherness and gratitude as we embrace this holiday period.
Ibrahim’s perspective
As a Palestinian Lebanese Muslim living on the Central Coast and attending an Anglican school, I experience the festive season in a way that’s quite different from those around me.
For many of my friends, Christmas is a time to gather with family and celebrate. For me, while Christmas holds a different significance, it remains an important time spent with loved ones.
During this season, my family focuses on supporting others. We make it a point to give my dad’s employees a well-deserved break by running the shop ourselves on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. It’s our way of ensuring they can enjoy a restful three-day holiday.
On Christmas Day, when most places are closed, we often find ourselves with some rare free time. We usually spend it enjoying a barbecue with my grandparents or visiting family friends who, like us, are also Muslim. It’s a time to connect, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.
For me, Christmas is less about the traditional celebrations and more about the opportunity for everyone to come together and appreciate the gift of family and community.
Cynthia’s perspective
Christmas, for me, is a time of family, tradition, and reflection.
Growing up on a dairy farm in upstate New York, my Christmas memories are filled with snowy landscapes, the warmth of roast turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, along with freezing weather that always added to the charm.
Every year, I would play carols on my flute at our school church—a tradition that deepened my connection to the spirit of the season.
Now, living in Australia, Christmas has taken on a new dimension. The festive atmosphere is filled with street parties on Christmas Eve, the heat of a summer holiday, and the unique challenge of preparing a traditional meal in a sweltering kitchen.
With just my husband and children here, my focus is on creating a warm and joyful atmosphere for my small family.
Despite the change in surroundings, the essence of Christmas remains the same: being together, cherishing the moment, and appreciating the love of those close to us, whether they’re near or far.
