Christmas Around the World at NorthStar Academy
Celebrating Jesus, the Greatest Gift, Across a Global Online Christian School
Christmas at NorthStar Academy is a beautiful reminder of why we exist.
Jesus Christ came into the world as a precious gift, sent to save, redeem, and bring hope to all people. At NorthStar, that truth is lived out across continents, cultures, and communities as students learn and grow together in a Christ centered global online Christian school.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6
A Global Community, Connected With Purpose
At NorthStar Academy, connection does not require sitting in a classroom every day. Students learn through a variety of learning options, including live weekly classes or self paced coursework, supported by consistent teacher relationships, while building community through discussions, student organizations, events, and shared experiences across our global community.
Students engage through online discussions, collaborative tools, schoolwide gatherings, student council, publications, virtual events, and milestone moments such as an in-person graduation. They are known by their teachers, supported in their learning, and connected to peers around the world, all within a flexible, Christ centered learning environment.
This Christmas season, students graciously shared what Christmas looks like where they live. Their stories reflect the beauty of God’s world and the unity of His Church.
Christmas Through the Eyes of Our Students
In New York, Christmas Eve means cozy nights spent binge watching Christmas movies together, with The Polar Express as a favorite, complete with warm blankets and hot chocolate.
In Castle Rock, Colorado, one student shared Christmas traditions centered on family time and togetherness. Their family bakes and decorates cookies with a grandparent, drives around to see Christmas lights, visits special holiday light displays, decorates the tree together, and enjoys watching favorite Christmas movies like Elf and The Santa Clause. This year, Christmas will look a little different as they celebrate while traveling, a reminder that traditions can change while still holding meaning.
In Washington State, one student shared a modern and meaningful tradition. Each Christmas, their family opens a Minecraft realm and spends time playing together with a grandparent, siblings, and cousins, a beautiful example of connection across generations.
In Tennessee, students shared simple and meaningful traditions, including attending Christmas Eve candlelight services with family and spending evenings driving through neighborhoods to enjoy Christmas lights together.
In Missouri, students shared different ways their families celebrate Christmas. Some enjoy driving through neighborhoods to see festive lights with snacks and Christmas music, even turning it into scavenger hunts to spot snowmen, the Grinch, or unexpected finds like a Christmas pig. Others celebrate the season through service, including caroling and helping at Advent services, as a meaningful way to remember the season of giving and keep their hearts focused on Jesus.
In the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada, Christmas reflects both faith and family. One student shared that their family sets up the Christmas tree early and gradually adds decorations throughout the season. They bake and decorate sugar cookies, make a birthday cake for Jesus, attend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day church services, sing carols in the town square, and gather with extended family for a large Christmas meal.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Christmas is celebrated late into the night. Families gather on Christmas Eve for dinner, often a traditional Argentine asado, and open presents at midnight. The celebration continues with card games, conversation, and time together into the early morning hours. Feliz Navidad.
In South Africa, Christmas includes church services and carol programs where children and adults sing together. Now living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Christmas is not widely celebrated, this student continues to honor the season at home and church, a quiet and faithful witness.
In Kenya, Christmas is simple and heartfelt. “Krismasi njema” is how Merry Christmas is shared in Kiswahili, a reminder that joy can be expressed in many languages.
In India, Christmas is marked by a full week of church programs and services, often filled with singing and dancing. While public celebrations can look different from place to place, this family also celebrates at home by baking cookies, decorating, playing Christmas music, and watching Christmas movies together, honoring the season in both community and home.
In Indonesia, one family celebrates Christmas by leaving gifts unlabeled. Whoever opens a present must guess who it was meant for, a joyful tradition centered on the delight of giving rather than receiving.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the city comes alive with festive decorations, especially in the malls. Churches gather believers from many nations to worship together on Christmas Eve, celebrating Jesus as one global body.
In Djibouti, Christmas includes Advent devotionals, setting up nativities, baking cookies, spending time at home with family, and visiting friends during break, a quiet and intentional celebration focused on Christ.
One NorthStar student celebrates Christmas while living aboard Mercy Ships, surrounded by people from nations all over the world. Their Christmas season includes Advent readings, worship nights, nativity celebrations, cookie decorating, Christmas markets, and traditions from many cultures and languages. Docked in Madagascar this year, this small ship community beautifully reflects the global body of Christ, serving others while celebrating the birth of Jesus together.
Across every story, traditions may differ, but the heart is the same. Families gathering. Faith practiced. Jesus honored.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14
Advent at NorthStar Academy
Advent is a season of waiting, hope, and preparation. It reminds us why Jesus came and why His coming still matters.
At NorthStar Academy, Advent is not only observed, it is lived. Students are learning to see the world through a global lens, to listen well, to respect differences, and to love what Jesus loves. People from every nation.
In every place our students live, they are learning not only academics, but how to live out their faith with purpose, compassion, and a global perspective.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” Revelation 7:9
One Savior. One Global Community.
Christmas at NorthStar Academy reflects the beauty of God’s design. Many cultures. Many traditions. One Savior who came to bring light to the world.
At the close of this post, you will see handwritten “Merry Christmas” greetings from students representing countries around the globe, a simple and beautiful reflection of the worldwide community that makes NorthStar Academy so unique.
This is what makes NorthStar different. A completely online Christian school where students are known, supported, and connected across the world. Where faith is the foundation. Where Jesus is the reason we learn and the reason we celebrate.
From all of us at NorthStar Academy, Merry Christmas.
Join Our Global Learning Community
If you are seeking a Christ centered, global online Christian school for grades 4 through 12, where students grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and learn alongside peers from around the world, we invite you to explore NorthStar Academy at www.northstar-academy.org.
Celebrate Jesus with us. Learn with us. Grow with us.