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While Canadians celebrate many winter holidays, Christmas symbols and decorations are everywhere as soon as the weather starts to cool. Newcomers might feel a sense of excitement and curiosity about their first Christmas in Canada. Expectation does not always meet reality, though, so this is where communication from Canadians can help.

Here are three things to remember and share when talking about Christmas!

There is a lot to learn about crossing cultures! We have so much to learn from one another, but also from excellent published resources. Here are a few of our favourites!

We found Maryam in the back foyer of our church, crying. She had left our ladies ESL conversation class abruptly. After some time, we went to see where she was and what was wrong. All she would tell us is “I am ashamed! I am ashamed!”

If I had understood the realities of shame and honour, I might have known how to help her rejoin us. Maybe I could have shared about the honour God longs to give her and others like her!

Finding life’s answers starts with asking good questions — of others and of ourselves. One of the early followers of Jesus knew to go to Jesus with his questions, and his questions were so powerful they were recorded in Luke 10:25-29. These questions continue to be powerful because many of us still ask them today. But who exactly is my neighbour? And how do I love them?

Imagine stepping off of a plane to begin a new life in a country you may never have even visited. That may be hard to imagine, yet it is a reality for thousands in Canada each year. In fact, the Canadian government will welcome over 1 million permanent and temporary residents this year. To help you better understand new Canadians, here are 10 things new Canadians wish their neighbours knew about them.