Karen Christmas Festival

In December 2010 Karen Christians and Karen Buddhists joined together to hold the first Karen Christmas Festival in Bendigo.

This year we will hold the festival again on Saturday 24 December.

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus.

Karen Christians regard Jesus as the Son of God, fully divine and fully human.

The Dalai Lama has said Buddhists can regard Jesus as a "bodhisattva", or enlightened being who sacrifices himself for the benefit of all living beings.

In Burma and in refugee camps in Thailand, Karen people have developed their own culturally specific ways of celebrating Christmas.

At the Karen Christmas Festival Australians join with Karen people in a celebration that includes interfaith prayers for peace in Burma, Karen Christmas carols, traditional Karen dancing, and food that includes roasted chicken and pork, and sticky rice.

By celebrating Christmas together, Karen Christians share what is most precious to them - Jesus - with their Australian and Karen Buddhist brothers and sisters.

When: 10:30am Saturday 24 December 2011
Where: Uniting Church Hall, 26 Myers Street, Bendigo
Cost: Free, but please tell us if you are coming

Click here to download flyer (Karen and English language).

Enquiries: ashinmoonieinda@yahoo.com.au or 0435 200 752