Merry Christmas from Uganda!
Yesterday, on Christmas Eve, I found myself in a bizarre place. I was walking to the Christmas Eve service in the chapel on campus... it was a beautiful and warm evening, I was wearing a dress and sandals, and then I passed 3 monkeys playing in a yard! Then I went into the chapel and sat down and realized I was sitting beside a grasshopper, at which point I was bit by a mosquito.... So, I spent my Christmas Eve with monkeys, grasshoppers and mosquitoes! First time for everything, right? I was thinking of how it would be different to be at a Christmas Eve service in America... I would have been wearing a dress, close-toed shoes, a huge jacket and a scarf and hat because it would have been a COLD and beautiful evening... I probably wouldn't have seen many creatures on the way, definitely not monkeys, and I would not have sat with grasshoppers or been bit by mosquitoes in December in Virginia.... It's been one of those weird times in my life where I realize that if someone had told me, even last Christmas, that this was where I'd be for Christmas 2012, I would have laughed. Sure, my life was full of unknowns at that point, but Uganda for Christmas? Who knew!? I wouldn't trade this Christmas for anything though, I am so beyond blessed to be able to be in this beautiful country during this lovely holiday season.
So, I've been trying to tap into some of the Christmas spirit and 'comforts' this week, so I attempted to make my own eggnog yesterday; it's not quite as thick as the store bought stuff and it's a little too sweet, but it tastes pretty good in my coffee this morning nonetheless! I also received some christmas chocolate in the mail the other day so that has been a lovely taste of home as well! But today I am blessed to be visiting a friend in the area where I'll get a Ugandan family Christmas, I'm so excited! As I've been preparing for the holiday season, I spent some time reading through the accounts of Jesus' birth in the Bible. I love the mystery of it! Each account is different (and some gospels just skip it!), and it makes me appreciate story telling and mystery and the fact that God is in control even when we don't have all the details. Even without knowing if the angel appeared to Mary (as in Luke) or Joseph (as in Matthew) or both, we are still able to appreciate the beauty of the birth of our Savior. The birth of Christ, no matter the details, proved God's sovereignty as it fulfilled centuries of prophecy about the Messiah. That's the God I serve and the Jesus I celebrate!
I pray your Christmastimes are blessed and fruitful; that you are testifying to God and his sovereignty as you celebrate the birth of Jesus. I am so thankful for where God has placed me and so thankful for the people in my life. Treasure your families and treasure the time you are spending with those you love, be blessed this season!
Much love and Merry Christmas,
Ruth
