Christmas-Here and There

As we approach another holiday season enjoying time together with family and friends, feasting on delicious and plentiful meals, opening beautifully wrapped gifts, and worshipping in a beautifully decorated church while listening to beautiful music sung by our very own choir, let’s keep in mind those of us in the Body of Christ who have so very little and yet celebrate fully the coming of Christ in their own special way.  There is just as much excitement around Christmas with the poorest of the poor who live in the poorest of country villages in Haiti, who save their pennies for weeks so that they might have a toy for their child on Christmas morning.  They plan and save so that they might have a special Christmas meal for their family.  They hope to have new shoes and clothes to wear to church on Christmas.  They hope that they can afford new shoes for their children.

The children at Kay Timoun (Children’s Home) will celebrate Christmas very much as we do in the U.S.  Last year we had a big Christmas Eve dinner with turkey and traditional rice and beans.  We invited children in the village to join us.  We sang Christmas songs and the children played games.  Keeping with our forming tradition, there will be a small Christmas tree in the living room, which will be visited by “Pere Noel” while the children are at late night mass.  The children will hurriedly unwrap their “cado” (gift) and play with it throughout most of the night, falling asleep with their toy on their pillow.  A simple toy, like a plastic doll for the girls or a plastic truck for the boys, means so much, because the kids in Bondeau, Kay Timoun kids included, rarely receive toys.

We must remember to thank God for all the blessings that He gives freely to us.  First of all, thanking Him that we have opportunity to live a decent life.  Most of us have no idea how people in developing countries live.  Thank God by sharing with those who have next to nothing.  You may do that by contributing for the Christmas Eve dinner at Kay Timoun.  The more money we receive, the more kids we can feed.  A special dinner means so much!  (Write check to South Florida Haiti Project—Kay Timoun.)  You may also contribute for Christmas gifts.  Last year one friend provided Creole bibles for all the children.  Other items on wish list are flash lights or lanterns with batteries, “church” clothes, small “match box” cars, and dolls.

I’ll be in Bondeau and Kay Timoun for Christmas and New Year, which is Independence Day in Haiti.  Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!