Our Christmas Plans

For Christmas this year, we'll just be at home in Moshi. Christmas isn't a huge thing here because there are many people who don't celebrate it (Muslims, Seventh Day Adventists, etc). I am so used to Christmas not only being a religious holiday, but a cultural holiday as well. In all my life in the US, I have only met a couple people who didn't celebrate Christmas and that's because they were Jehovah's Witnesses. Everyone else does - whether they believe in Jesus or not.

Here, it is only a religious holiday. There are not the added cultural celebrations involving gift giving, Christmas cookies, snowman, etc. If people here celebrate it, they usually go to church in the morning, then cook all day and visit family and friends. Gifts are not exchanged, although if they are lucky, kids might have a new outfit to wear that day.

As of now, we plan to go to church and then cook at home. We have invited people over to our house, although we aren't sure who will actually come. George met a Kenyan working at a grocery store near us who is alone in Moshi with no where to go on Christmas. So, George invited him and he'll be coming. George is already planning to play Kenyan music that day. It will be nice to have a fellow Kenyan here. I'm sure we'll have a few more stragglers come and end up with a fun, random bunch of people. Should be a good day!

Although I miss the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season in the US, it is refreshing to have a low key day so we can focus on the Lord and all He has done for us. We hope you are having a great Christmas season and get to enjoy a peaceful day with family and friends.