A Not So Normal Christmas

Spending Christmas in Uganda is never something I would have ever imagined myself doing. Especially Spending Christmas in Uganda, without family, is never something I would have ever even thought of doing! No, it hasn't been the same as it usually is with family and the usual Christmas traditions, but it has been a very unique Christmas for me..

This past week, Aly and I have been doing all we can to make it feel like Christmas. It has been so hot the past week that it is so hard to get in the Christmas spirit. When we are cleaning, cooking, or even just hanging out around the house, we are playing Christmas music. For the past week it just really hasn't felt like Christmas. However, that quickly changed the day we sat underneath the big tree in front of our home. Sitting there, we both wrote out a list of things that makes it feel like Christmas at home. Christmas trees, decorations, Santa Clause, Christmas lights, cold weather, hot chocolate, and every year family traditions.. the list goes on. After writing out the list, Aly began saying how we (our society) has turned Christmas into something it's really not. Many people in the world know about Christmas, but more than many people do not know the true meaning of Christmas. We make Christmas out to be all about the lights, the Christmas trees, Santa Clause and traditions, but that isn't at all what it is about. It is about Christ's birth. Once I realized that, being away from the normal has made me truly stop and think about what Christmas is really all about. In fact, the very first day of Christmas, the morning of Christ's birth, there weren't all of the Christmas traditions. There wasn't a Christmas tree full of lights and ornaments. There wasn't Christmas lights on the stable. There wasn't Christmas cookies, family all around the table eating a Christmas meal, and no where in the Bible does it say "Santa Clause" was there! Then it started to truly feel like Christmas. At home, we do talk about Christ's birth, and we do read the story of Christ's birth.. but which do we really spend our time putting emphasis on? The traditions or the true meaning of Christmas? Family or Christ's birth? Do I wish I was home with my family and the every year family Christmas traditions? Of course. But, do I really need all of that to have a wonderful Christmas? No. Because it isn't all about everything we have made it out to be. So, here is a look into what my Christmas has been like..

Aly and I had the privilege of sharing an American Christmas tradition with these sweet girls, Michal, Maureen, and Sharon. These three girls are staying at Upendo over Christmas break. We have been every day without power, but thankfully we have a gas oven and were able to make and decorate Christmas cookies with these girls! We had such a blast. In the midst of it all, I realized that if it weren't for Christ, there would be no way we would have ever had this opportunity. Because of Christ, we are unified in Him, and able to be together as one in Him. The girls loved the cookies, and it was a time full of fun, laughter, and fellowship with one another and Christ. Not to mention, they also were away from their families for Christmas.

Now, because of wonderful parents that I am blessed with, Aly and I traveled to Jinja yesterday for Christmas. We are at a lodge with access to internet. I am so thankful for it, because I was able to Skype my family yesterday, and will be able to for the next couple of days. It has been a time of relaxation, processing, and blogging of course! Last night we were able to make hot chocolate, look at videos of Christmas lights on youtube, and watch the Nativity movie. This morning, on Christmas day, we opened presents from family that were sent with us. 

So, no it hasn't been the usual, normal Christmas that I usually have. But, it has been a very unique and amazing Christmas. You really appreciate Christ's birth and all that you are blessed with when you take a step out of the every year traditions. Praying that everyone takes time on this day to take a step back from the craziness of Christmas, and realize that we have been truly blessed by Christ's birth! Merry Christmas!

- Kaitlyn