Written by : Caroline Mokeira
Everything seemed to echo the spirit of Christmas. The beautiful lights along the streets, the decorated boats along the busy street of Noorderhaven, the glittering trees, the Winterstad at the Grote Markt, the fire breathers, and the choirs singing through the streets of Westerhaven all reflected the excitement on people’s faces in the wintry weather.
Yet, it is easy to be swept up in all this beauty and overlook the quieter, more profound light—the one that is silent, constant, and does not seek attention. Hidden beneath the crowds and the busy streets lies what many call the “reason for the season.”
I found that reason in the most unexpected places. In a simple miniature nativity scene outside Via Vecchia, with Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and the three wise men, it quietly reminded passersby of the true meaning of Christmas: the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
A few streets further, the same message appeared in another form. Inside Akerkhof Church, a choir sang melodious Christmas carols led by Gideon, retelling the story through music. About 700 meters away, at the Forum Groningen building, an actual manger stood inside the Rabo Studio—a powerful reminder of where it all began. Not in grandeur or decoration, but in a simple, humble setting where the infant Jesus lay.
(photo from google https://gophergroningen.com/events/2019/8-tdwmp)