Christmas Blessings

Usually I actually enjoy writing our annual Christmas letter. But this year, I feel like we’ve bared our souls almost weekly so there’s very little to write about! Last year at this time, we were frantically trying to sort everything we own into things to send to Africa, things to be stored, and things we needed until we left, but wouldn’t be bringing to Africa and things we needed until we left, but then needed to be stored. Oh, and celebrate Christmas in a way that was “normal” without trying to create something artificial because we wouldn’t be celebrating our American Christmas again for a while. I guess it must have been completely routine because I don’t remember any specifics about it!

This Christmas we celebrated in shorts. We opened a few presents that magically appeared under a baobab tree made of banana leaves and decorated with some favorite ornaments from home. We celebrated with new friends and ate delicious ham and roasted potatoes and yummy desserts. It was much lower-key than Christmases we’ve celebrated—and that’s saying something, because with no family near, we’ve celebrated very low-key Christmases! This year, our kids didn’t ask for anything, or make a wish list (either they’ve truly been transformed, or they have the child’s assurance that gifts will somehow appear on Christmas Day!)

This year, we are surrounded by people who don’t celebrate Christmas, except for a church service and perhaps a little extra something for dinner. Who can’t possibly understand Santa Claus, wish lists, and only “5 more shopping days until Christmas”. Who may have a little extra for new shoes or clothes or school supplies, but probably won’t. And maybe won’t need them anyway—the news reports that when the new school year starts next month, 50% of students who are eligible to attend secondary school won’t be going because there are not enough schools.

33% of the people in this country will attend church on Christmas Day and give thanks for the greatest gift we have ever been given, that of God’s Son. They will celebrate the blessings in their lives. They will remember those who are less fortunate and, like the widow, will give out of their poverty, not out of their excess. They will gather with family if they are able and enjoy a meal together.

The other 66% will not attend church or recognize Christmas Day as anything but another Monday. They don’t recognize the love and hope that arrived with the birth of a child so long ago. Yet they also carry on every day, struggling against tremendous odds to try to do what all of us do—earn a living wage to provide for their families, to try to hope for something better for their children, something more than what they have today.

This past year has been the biggest blessing of our lives. No matter how tired, frustrated, or whatever else, we recognize the tremendous gift that we’ve been given in being here and every day we feel more and more at home. And we have been reminded every day, often in ways that are not always pleasant, that we have been abundantly blessed in comparison to most of the rest of the world. The challenge of “blessed to be a blessing” is to live our lives intentionally in ways that reflect our faith and our gratitude in service to others. We’ve found it to be a difficult assignment, one that I don’t think will ever become easy.

Thank you to all of you who are sending Christmas letters and cards and photos! We are pleasantly surprised every day at the post office to receive an actual letter or card—yes, they are arriving! We have so enjoyed reading about your lives over this past year and we’ve had some great conversations about things we didn’t do this past year. Those trips down memory lane were fun and we found we didn’t feel like we missed out on something, another sign that life is good for us here. Again, we can’t thank you enough for all your words of support, encouragement, and prayers that have sustained us every day. We have come to realize how important you all are to not only us, but to the mission of Peace House Foundation. Whether you’ve written a check, volunteered your time, attended an event, visited us (or will visit), or sent an email, you have contributed to what is happening here in a very powerful way.

Wherever you are, whomever you’re with—enjoy a peaceful and blessed Christmas with family and friends. We will keep you in our prayers in the coming year. Merry Christmas!