Christmas is not always pretty lights glistening over the ice capped snow. It isn't even a warm kitchen with hot chocolate and sugar cookies on the stove. Some think it is bringing a tree in from the forest and piling gifts beneath the ornament laden branches. Others believe Santa slides down through the chimney while everyone is asleep. Then there are the busy stores, the exhausted , worried looks as carts filled with goodies roll by.
A Christmas in Rwanda floods through my mind. Here I celebrated Christmas in a service with over 300 people diagnosed with AIDS and probably so many more that didn't have the means to be tested. Most of the people would leave church that day without a meal waiting for them at home. Knowing their stomachs would be empty on Christmas day their hearts still rejoiced at the celebration of Jesus' birth. The pastor's caring heart turned communion into a lunch so that no one would leave without have something to eat. Each one was given a small covered foil container. The container was small enough to sit inside your open hand. One warm meat ball, three tablespoons of peas and a very small Irish potato was wrapped neatly inside. Soda pop was given to every other person as you were asked to share your drink with the person sitting beside you. What happy sounds filled the air. How the eyes expressed joy and thanksgiving for what they were to receive.
Christmas is then taken into the bush to over 400 orphans near the Congo border. A tent gives them cover from the hot sun. There is enough Soda pop for everyone. A plate with two very small Irish potatoes and a couple bite size pieces of meat is given to each child. Children from outside the orphanage gather close by in hopes to become a guest of such a grand event. We secretly take some food from our plate and share it with a couple boys outside the tent. What happens next alarms us. They are pushed to the ground and a rumble starts as others try to forcibly take the small bite size pieces of food from them.
To a child in the slums of Nairobi a Christmas treat becomes one small glass of juice diluted with dirty water and one cookie. That precious gift is given to them at church. Again hunger tares into the stomachs of those of all ages. Lights, trees, ornaments, days upon days of shopping, they just don't exist. A father sees me with a bag of lollipops for the children nearby. He stops and asks for "5" as he has nothing to give his children on Christmas. You do not hear comments about great "sales". No one talks about a Christmas list. Your ears will hear the quiet comments from the desperate as you walk the land. What are you going to eat on Christmas day? Do you have any food? Many will try to bring what they have together with others so that a meal can be prepared.
Even with the hunger, even with the lack, even without the tree, without the lights and the gifts, many will find their way to church. They will sing, they will dance, and they will celebrate the birth of Jesus with one another. Many will leave hungry and return to a 10 by 10 metal sided, metal roofed home with food for one meal or none at all.
In the midst of their daily challenges I hear their voice . "We live in the slums but the slums don't live in us." Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son, born of a virgin, crucified, buried and rose again the third day, lives in their hearts. He has forgiven them of their sins. Jesus has become their greatest treasure. He gives them hope and joy even in the slums of Nairobi.
What is your greatest treasure?
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
JANUARY 13th I will be returning to Africa.
