Looking Forward to a Wonderful Christmas!!

I can't complain about the lack of snow or any of those coldish things that most people are missing about Christmas this year. Back home in Florida I could go to the beach on Christmas day if I wanted. Actually, yesterday it was exactly the same temperature here as it was in Florida. Due to the time difference it was 11 pm here and 5 pm there, but still, pretty close.

What I am missing lies mostly in the joy of the Christmas season! I just remember feeling it in the air, in conversations with friends, in planning to get together with family and friends and rejoicing because Jesus was born. Decorations, nativity scenes, childrens' crafts and music in the stores; The christmas story being read and joyous singing filling the night air.

It's a little different here. For most people, life goes on like usual, with little change from the routine. The weather has cooled down, and prices have gone up but there is nothing especially Christmasy in the streets. Christmas music only comes from my own cd player and my nativity is small. Coming back to the capital this week was my first chance to wish someone Merry Christmas. I won't get to hug my family as they all come over to celebrate or wrestle with my cousins on the floor.

I do, however, have a family here that is looking forward to a wonderful Christmas. To celebrate what it means to truly understand that small baby in a manger; to gather and thank God for sending His son and for sending us here, to Niger.

No, Christmas is not going to by typical this year, but I hope you too can come to see through all the extra "padding" that Christmas gets and see the true meaning behind this day that we celebrate December 25th each year.

God Bless and have a Very Merry Christmas!!!