A Kruse Christmas in Gesses

Many of you have asked what Christmas is like in Gesses. Although I have likely written about it in the past, since I have no access to the internet to check, I may repeat myself.

After 10 Christmases spent in Ethiopia, we have formed traditions very different from our own upbringing. This is mostly due to separation from our families, shopping malls, Christmas programs, and living in a completely different climate. Every year, I am pleased that our children have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas for what it is: honoring the birth of Jesus. Though, every year, I am saddened by the separation from family; it is a sacrifice we are willing to make.

December 1^st, we decorate the house with a small tree, nativity sets and an advent calendar. The children create dozens of snowflakes that hang in our open porch. Strangely, these large paper versions of snow remind Rolf and I of home and possibly prepare our children for some future winter Christmas.

Christmas tunes fill the air, the children begin practicing Christmas pieces on the keyboard and we begin baking. The baking continues until either the butter or sugar supply runs out. This year it was the butter supply.

For the past couple of years, we have had the privilege of celebrating Christmas with another missionary family. This makes the celebration extra special. This year, from Dec 18-21, we hosted a Canadian family who are serving in Addis ababa and a Canadian man and his son who are hoping to join SIM Ethiopia in the near future. With this visit in mind, the kids and I prepared a Christmas drama and baked a variety of Christmas cookies.

We had a lovely Christmas celebration on the 20^th together. The children presented the drama we had put together called: “The Redeemer Has Come” and since we needed some extra shepherds and wisemen, the visiting children joined in. We drank hot apple cider, ate a meal together and played games. It was a sweet time.

On Christmas Eve, our colleague, Cherie prepared a full chicken dinner and the children held a gift exchange of handmade presents with Cherie. The children's skills in woodworking, knitting and crochetig came in handy!

Christmas day, we had our traditional birthday pancakes followed by “The search for the Christmas stockings”. As usual, Rolf and I wrote out clues in the form of a poem and in an orderly fashion, each one took his/her turn in finding their stocking hidden in a specific place. This is particularly easy considering our warm climate. Stockings were hidden in treehouses, a chicken coop, work shop, along a lane and on a motorcyle. The goal is to find the stockings before the chocolate melts! This year stockings were filled with chocolates, candies and yarn.

After enjoying some baked goodies, I made our “traditional” Mexican meal for lunch followed by a dinner of Mennonite Periski (pockets of dough filled with a ground beef mixture, baked and served with ketchup and mustard).

That evening, we gathered around a blazing fire, singing Christmas carols and drinking Christmas tea. We usually enjoy some caroling with lanterns but ran out of time. But Christmas is not over. We are now preparing to celebrate Christmas with the Gumuz believers. The Christmas story is being told each Sunday, Gumuz Christmas songs are being sung and on January 7^th, a goat will be slaughtered, maize boiled, and coffee roasted.

Although Christmas may look different in Gesas, the purpose remains the same: to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us. Our prayer is that as we hear the story of the long awaited Savior, we would be filled with hope. Hope that one day soon, our Savior will return a second time. This time, to take us home.