What is Christmas like in Burundi? It kind of snuck up on me. It sounds silly to say.
Of course, the climate was entirely different from what I am used to in Kansas this time of year. The early darkness, gray skies, cold air, brown landscapes (what once-upon-a-time was white), and twinkling lights of Midwest America was replaced with sun, warmth, flowering plants, palm trees, and lush green landscapes. Burundi is not a consumer culture; therefore, I was liberated from the bombardment of advertisements and messages convicting me of what I just had to buy this season.
New Year’s Day is the big holiday here and thus, there was minimal build-up to Christmas Day. As proof, the big, decorated Christmas tree was put up in the center of the city 3 days before Christmas.
The church services in the city celebrated the advent season in faithful anticipation. Various children’s performances made the rounds as the 25thapproached.
Some churches held all-night worship and prayer services which could be heard from my apartment on Christmas morning (what a great idea!!). There were several greetings of “Merry Christmas”, “Joyeux Noël”, and “Noël Nziza.”
As a team we celebrated with others at various events. An evening of singing carols and reading scripture became my first Burundi Christmas tradition.
I was also fortunate to have carolers visit my doorstep with sweets in hand.
On Christmas Day our team gathered together for a meal of ham, mashed potatoes, salads, and desserts. Our simple gift exchange took on amplified excitement and appreciation after witnessing the teachers in Muramvya joyfully embrace their gift exchange the previous week.
It was interesting for me to walk through my own feelings about the season. It didn’t feel like Christmas, or at least, “my habit” of Christmas. The reason to celebrate didn’t change, just my environment. I came back to Isaiah 55:8 (NIV), “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” It is so easy for me to attach the things of this world to our Heavenly Father in order for my mind to make sense of everything.
This year, I marveled at His mystery and I was stunned at His desire for relationship with me.
He deserves all glory!
That’s what Christmas in Burundi was like for me.
Hello my friend, Travis. I’m sure Christmas morning must’ve been entirely different for you not being with your family the way you have all your life. Where are you were looks absolutely beautiful. And every time I hear from you it sounds as if you’re discovering more and more while you were there and walking closer and closer with the Lord.
I hope you’re feeling the prayers of support going out for you. You are still much loved and missed back here in Texas. Best wishes for a prosperous 2019, y’all.
You are missed, thought of, prayed for, and hopefully feeling these thoughts and prayers as you celebrated Christmas. Thanks for the updates! Blessings!