Advent in Nagybajom
Nagybajom Group 1:
On December 13, 2025, we held an Advent family tea afternoon with Group 1 at the Nagybajom Community House. The decorations, scents, and Christmas music all helped to create a truly festive atmosphere. It was clear that not only the children, but we parents and siblings as well, are now moving more confidently and comfortably within the community house and among one another.
We were welcomed not only with treats: at the long tables there was also an opportunity for handicrafts. Using natural materials, we could make Christmas decorations, create ornaments from decorative foam, and—where the materials were truly consumable—decorate gingerbread. Why is it good to sit down and make decorations together? At first, we simply chat and take our part in something shared. Then we begin to pay attention to what our hands are doing. Gradually, we become absorbed in the creative process, focusing on ourselves while at the same time opening up to the world and to those sitting around us. From the finished works, it becomes clear that many families have more than one talented member.
At moments like these, real conversations begin—sometimes even with someone whose family connections we do not yet know. We talk, and not only about our children, because we know they are fine now, in good hands. In the neighboring room, they are rehearsing for the joint festive performance, not allowing illnesses or absences to stand in the way. Now it is their turn to give. The performance is gentle and about them. Everyone contributes what they have: instrumental music, a self-written poem, singing. The older ones provide a framework for the younger ones, helping them so that the gift becomes a complete whole.
And the evening itself becomes whole as well when Valentin arrives from Aunt Szilvi’s first group. At that moment, we can once again see what makes this the Life Path Program. We get a time-jump glimpse into how a mentor–mentee relationship can deepen into friendship, and how a community can become a second family.
Thank you for this evening, for the gifts, and for the beautiful closing of this exciting year! We are looking forward to continuing in January. Until then, we wish everyone a good rest and a happy, peaceful Christmas!
Nagybajom Group 2:
“The Nagybajom Group 2 held its Advent Family Day on the afternoon of December 12, 2025. This time, something was different. Somehow, this year we crossed the threshold in a way we never had before. Both our mentor’s welcoming words and the poem by Szabó T. Anna that I recited drew attention to how important everything around us is during the Advent season, on the path of preparing for the holidays. What could be more important than this? When we embrace one another.
The shared Christmas tree decorating, conversations, and encounters all reinforced this feeling in us. The celebration belongs to those who wait. This was the title of the poem and also the key phrase of our now traditional playful quiz competition. In the first round, we drew attention to the tiniest, yet most essential things for us: the sparkle in an ornament, or the bubble in a glass of sparkling wine. Forming teams and listening to one another, we walked together along the path leading up to Christmas as the celebration of love.
We recalled scents and memories, but we also spoke about people’s rushed lifestyles and the mindset that comes with them. We created stories, described things, laughed, and sang together. We thank our volunteers and Aunt Tündi for the fantastic decorations, which provided a wonderful backdrop for our family photos. We also thank the Bonafarm Group for the gift packages! We wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a pleasant New Year!”
Milán Vajda, Nagybajom Group 2
