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ANNOUNCEMENTS•
Receive a maximum of four guests at home, closed restaurants and masks in shops and churches. In the last two years, the corona measures have cast a shadow on Christmas. But this year we can celebrate Christmas again like we used to. Together.
Services will also be fully attended in churches. “It’s great that it’s possible again,” replies Arjan Zantingh of Groningen City Church. The pastor speaks with ardent enthusiasm about what is possible again and what is about to happen this weekend.
“We are expecting 6,000 people spread across different services. On a normal Sunday there are 1,500 to 2,000. We really notice that more people are arriving at this time.”
“Two years ago we organized online services and discussion tables and a year ago things closed unexpectedly a week early. Then we organized a walk through our church in small groups,” says Zantingh.
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Stadskerk Groningen have noted that the pandemic has had an impact. Due to the corona, Zantingh has seen its membership decline. “It was a habit for many people to go to church on Sunday. But if you don’t go for a year and a half, you start to wonder if you still want to.” Zantingh notes that the remaining group is “very loyal and active”.
Restaurant Vol
It will also be busy this weekend in the Feithhuis restaurant owned by the owner Keimpe Postema a little further in Groningen. “All tables are already booked and we have a big turnover.”
After two years in which only meal boxes could be sold during the holidays, Postema is experiencing a certain tension, despite its experience. “Or healthier stomach nervousness. We’re here and we’re ready. We formed a new team last year and we’ll be working on it with great pride these days.”
Postema also notices in its surroundings that everyone is extremely enthusiastic. “I still hear from guests every day: ‘how nice that it’s possible again.’ During this time you notice that people really missed celebrating together.”
The corona pandemic has not only brought suffering to Postema. This allowed him to innovate his company and introduce new ideas. This year, for example, people can also order a Christmas dinner to eat at home. “And that’s something we didn’t do before corona.”
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With the return of busy holidays, even Christmas stress can hit people again. This, too, was much less present in recent years, says health psychologist Emmeliek Boost.
“Of course I’ve noticed. In recent years it’s been a walk outside or sitting by the fireplace with one or two people. Then Christmas is immediately very quiet.”
With Christmas stress looming again, the trick is to keep it simple and bring it back to what matters, says Boost. “Just be there for each other and together make sure the other person is happy.”
