I have heard from my friends in Uganda that Christmas time in their village of Nyakishenyi is a simple celebration, but wonderful time for the families. Although my friends live and work in Kabale about two hours away from their home in the village, they return to the village to celebrate the birth of Christ.
As I remember my days visiting the village of Nyakishenyi during other seasons of the year, I recall the stillness and quietness of the evenings and nights. It seems a perfect place to imagine how Christ came into our world. The sky is so clear and the stars are so bright in the village at night, not like any other place in the world I have seen. The animals are near, only goats and chickens for the most part and a few cows now too. The children play and sing until called to rest. There may be some light aglow in the distance from the wood or coal-burning under the cooking pots, and a few lanterns too. I am sure though that it is much more festive during Christmas Eve in the village at night then I can imagine.
As I think of my friends and family in the village during this Christmas season, I think about the manger filled with hay, were our little Lord Jesus laid. It reminds me of what a small world we really live in, and how the Children in the village have been taught about Jesus and Christmas and how they anticipate that wonderful time and his coming into the world for us all.
I am sure the people of the village would have found room in their home for Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. I can only imagine how they would have received him if he had been born there in Nyakishenyi. It would have been with song, dance and a little drummer boy too! A grand celebration!
I pray for all the families there and especially the children during this season of advent and pray that they receive Jesus and know His love for them and the whole world around the globe. Let them have peace in their hearts, safety, shelter, food and clothing, but most of all let them be fed with the love and light that only Jesus can bring to them and us all.
Please keep the children of Nyakishenyi and the children all over the world in your prayers during this Christmas season and always.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too! :)
Peace and love,
Your friend,
Jude
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