This will be our first Christmas in Lusaka, Zambia.  Since we live very near the capital, Christmas decorations at the stores in town actually began in the middle of November.  There are the usual types, Christmas trees, garland, lights, ornaments and banners.  There are nativity scenes set up in the shopping areas.  Most of the Christmas music we have heard is familiar as well.  We think that this is due to it being a large city and the western influence that is so evident here.

We asked some of the missionaries about Christmas customs out in the bush and if anything is done to celebrate the event.  As the weather here is warm and with rain frequently it is the time for planting and tending their fields, so most Zambian people in the rural areas do not celebrate Christmas.  However, we also talked with our yardmen and they say that in the Zambian churches the celebration begins the day before Christmas with singing, skits, presentations, and eating throughout the two days.

Zambian Christmas songs are very enthusiastic with much dancing and motion. At the Lutheran Mission this year, many of the missionaries and families are on furlough back in the states, so the remaining families will get together for a traditional Christmas dinner.  The local Shoprite has frozen turkeys this year for the holiday, (unlike last year).  We are pretty fortunate to get most of the ingredients we need for baking, although chocolate chips, colored sugar, condensed milk, and certain nuts are hard to come by. There was a sugar shortage here a few months ago, but luckily that is over for now.

For those of you reading this back home, God’s richest blessing’s to each and every one of you during this Christmas season and in the New Year!