Ethiopian Christmas

I have officially survived the holiday season. 70 volunteers came into Ethiopia with my group (G11) in June and now 59 remain. About 4-5 of the people who’ve left Ethiopia, left during the holiday season.

It can be challenging being away from family & friends during this time of year, I’ve found it challenging myself.

Christmas for me usually means family, fond childhood memories, togetherness, spirituality, laughs and love. As a Christian Peace Corps Volunteer, it is fascinating to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in a country and culture that regards religion as everything.

Whether Muslim or Christian, religion is so intertwined within Ethiopian culture it is difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. Waking up to the calls of prayer everyday becomes synonymous with Ethiopian culture, but it finds its roots in religion. Seeing “Fasting foods” written on the pages of every menu in every restaurant you go to becomes normal, as does eating goat and lamb because people do not eat the “unclean” pig here. Religion dictates the way people dress, the foods they cook, the way they dance, sing and live.

 Lunch at a friends for Genna Christmas

There aren't many frills with celebrating the birth of Christ here in Ethiopia. No ostentatious red & green Christmas lights & decorations covering the outside of homes, no tales of Santa Claus, his reindeer or anything that can diminish the true meaning of this Holy day. Celebrating Christmas in Ethiopia means a time of prayer, family and church. Many Ethiopians fast for 40 days and break their fast on Christmas day to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. The scent of sweet spices, the gathering of family, and sounds of laughter fill the room. Simple decorations are put up, and small gifts are sometimes given to little children. But all gives praise and glory to God for the gift of life His Son gave us. January 7th is when Ethiopians celebrate the day that the Son of God also became the Son of man. When he would physically be "God with us", Emmanuel.

There is something pure and completely uplifting about the simplicity of Christmas in Ethiopia. I admire how true they stay to the root of Christmas. It is looked at only as the birth of Jesus, and only celebrated by those who rejoice & recognize the significance of that moment in time. My Christmas in Ethiopia was very intimate. With my family and my closest friends an ocean away, I spent most of my time in solitude. Lonely at first, and missing the festivities back home, and then just alone with Him. I try to meditate on His goodness, His grace, and His love. We talk, I pray and reflect on life, a higher purpose, & forgiveness.

I need to learn how to have more moments like this. I need to work on just dwelling in His presence.

Melkam Genna Merry Christmas

"If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: 'God with us.' We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity.  More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!"

-  John MacArthur