Christmas International House A Holiday of Friendship with International Students

WHY CHRISTMAS INTERNATIONAL HOUSE?

A number of international students have asked why churches and communities throughout the United States sponsor CIH.

Some of the reasons are: a concern to provide a place for international students to go when otherwise they would be in an empty dormitory on a deserted campus, a desire to share the Christmas holidays with people from other countries, and an interest in cross-cultural experiences and international relations.

Christmas is the season of the year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and share with others the joy of God's love for all people.    Many churches and communities, therefore, find CIH an appropriate way to enable international students to participate in the holiday season with families.

Christmas International House is an ecumenical program providing hospitality to international students during the Christmas holidays – a time when students have no place to go, when dormitories close and they are unable to return home. Through the hospitality of churches and civic groups, Christmas International House witnesses to the reality that, behind diverse manners of dress, religious affiliations, and political ideologies, everyone stands together as one human family. Dialogue and exchange of ideas characterize the program - peacemaking at the grass-roots level. In addition the program:

• gives the students an opportunity to be with American families and to see different sections of the country.
• gives American families and students an opportunity for cross-cultural exchange.
• gives international students an opportunity to express their criticisms of American policy in a constructive manner. At the same time American citizens can help correct false impressions of our policy and way of life.
• gives people a means of expressing concern for world peace in concrete ways.
• offers situations in which students may get to know each other, particularly students whose nations are hostile to each other.
• provide a place for reunion for students from the same home country.
• gives local churches an opportunity to see the world-wide church more concretely as international Christians actively participate in worship services and church school programs.
• gives new meaning to Christmas as church members relate to non-Christians, and to Christians who celebrate Christmas in different ways.
• creates a ministry which might stimulate uninvolved church members to become involved and active in their congregations.
• utilizes the facilities of churches in a unique kind of ministry and service.
• creates a unique ecumenical ministry among several churches within a community.

For all questions about your application, please see your International Student Advisor or call:

Information@ChristmasIH.org

The CIH Registration Office is open
October 16 through December 15
Phone Hours: 10:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 4:00 (Eastern)
Monday - Friday

07/26/2006