The epitome of the Christmas season is spending time with loved ones, said Lionel Funaki, a freshman from Tonga majoring in information technology. Funaki said he could not visit his family for the holidays due to COVID-19 restrictions and closed borders.
He said even though he cannot be with his family for Christmas, he seeks to serve others as Christ did during his ministry. “I think what has kept me afloat ... is realizing the need to serve others, the need to emulate the reason for the season.”
Funaki, a transfers evaluation clerk and Admissions processor said he is grateful for his job. He said it allows him to help and direct applicants and new students coming to BYU–Hawaii.
He expressed gratitude for the community, ward and staff members who provide a safe and wholesome environment for those who can't spend the holidays with their families. “I'm lost for words to describe the feeling of gratitude for those who go out of their way to make students feel at home while away from home.”
He said the Christmas decorations “speak volumes about the school and its effort to make this Christmas memorable for those who cannot make it home.”
Christmas is the time to serve others in small and simple ways, said Funaki. “Christmas is a family time indeed, and if circumstances don't permit, it's a time to serve. … It really does make a difference to see this Christmas season in that way.”
The most important gift of all
Moa-sing Sasa Esther, a junior from Papua New Guinea majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said talking with her family is more precious than receiving gifts during this Christmas season.
She also said Christmas is a time to remember the greatest gift of all, the birth of the Savior. “If we look at his example and the life that he has given us, that's the greatest thing that we can be able to ask for.”
She said she admires that Jesus Christ, despite being called the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was born in simple conditions—a manger with Joseph and Mary.
Being an IWORK student, Esther shared, there is a lot of paperwork required to leave the state, which she said she didn't want to deal with.
She said she worked and saved money for an internship she is seeking. She said she spent time with her sister, who is also on campus and did the daily “Light the World” activities.
“That's something that really helped me so far and to be able to have the Christmas spirit even though I'm not with my loved ones.”
The holidays are a time of “personal introspection,” she said. She said she reflected on how much she has accomplished this past year and prepared for the New Year. “I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I feel like New Year's resolutions like you set them [but] most of the time we don't follow them.”
Making the best of the holiday
Being away from loved ones for Christmas is a great opportunity to ponder the true meaning of the holiday, said Shareef Basan. A sophomore from the Philippines majoring in business and supply chain management, Basan said flying home is too expensive. “If you just try to see the good in whatever your situation is, you'll be happy.”
Basan said it was his first Christmas away from the Philippines. He shared that he learned Christmas should be centered on Christ during his mission in the Philippines.
The core of Christmas
The core of Christmas is about Christ, said Thavanrat Chongmeesuk, a sophomore from Thailand majoring in social work.
Chongmessuk said she decided to stay and work to save money for her mission. She said she plans to call her mother, read the scriptures and share the story of Christmas with her.
As a convert to the Church and the only member in her family, she shared she wants to introduce the gospel to her mother in hopes that she will convert to the faith. “I want her to know it directly, not from me, just like directly from the Lord.”
In Thailand, she shared, Christmas is celebrated as a holiday but not centered on Jesus Christ. She shared when she was young, she always admired Christmas songs and the Christmas lights, which characterized the celebratory nature of Christmas.
Upon converting to the Church, she said, she enjoyed celebrating Christmas because it focused on the Savior's birth. “Because of him, we are blessed a lot … so it's a great time to celebrate that he was born and express our gratitude to him.”