Each year I try to make or buy one special Christmas ornament or decoration. Last year I combined Christmas gift money and got a wood nativity set by local craftsmen. This year I noticed my homemade angel was showing wear after so many years of repacking, and remembered a local shop that made and sold small dolls. A few dollars and some of my carefully brought and hoarded Christmas material later I had my new angel - with pipecleaner wings and halo. Looks a little different - but so is Christmas here.
I attended one celebration the week before at the church for the Compassion children: over 200 almost identically dressed in their Christmas gift-outfits did songs, skits, and shouted memory verses before running out to the food (macaroni in a tomato sauce). The centre’s director had mentioned that without sponsors for all the children ‘the plate for 5 has to stretch for 7’ but that it was getting harder to do it. Traditionally, as invited guests we were seated and served separately, with big plates of salad and chicken and bottles of Fanta or Coke.
Another meal was planned for Christmas Eve, but after arriving at 7pm to attend the scheduled church service I left just before the ‘eats’ at 10pm, since I still had a bit of preparations for the Big Day left, and an alarm to set for 4.30am. My househelper Leah had asked for Christmas Eve off since she had lots of cooking to do for the many visitors that would wander in on the day. She’s already planning another big New Years’ cooking spree and promised me a sample of the fried cakes she makes each year.
