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December 27, 2018I was sending Fr. Jim Christmas greetings on Christmas Eve afternoon as I was reflecting on how I spent my very first Christmas Eve alone. I did not like the feelings that were emerging within that day, because in the past it was filled with spending time in the kitchen with family preparing an elaborate Christmas dinner. It was tradition and it suddenly came to a screeching halt. That Christmas Eve, I put a suit on and made my way to St. Michaels to attend one of my favorite services, 10 pm mass to serve as a hospitality minister. As family after family entered church radiating happiness and dressed in their finery, I found myself being greeted with Christmas wishes, smiles, hugs and becoming filled with joy. It was one of those wonderful nights as I lay in bed filled with love, awe and thanksgiving of how God works wonders!
I was reminiscing that Christmas Eve this year as this would be my very first Christmas away from family. I was working through the day in preparation of hosting 6 students who live alone and nowhere to have Christmas. I didn’t have need for a suit this year, but ventured down to church at 6pm for carols and mass at 7. A seat was saved for me by two fellow Maryknoll lay missioners, Coralis (my 72-year-old Pilipino regional director) and Gabe (fellow classmate visiting from South Sudan). The church was decorated with colorful balloons, tapestries and flashing lights around the nativity, the Christmas tree and even the altar. The Christmas carols were wonderfully led by over 80 members of the youth groups (age 18-25). The final song was Feliz Navidad sung solo by a Kenyan boy, microphone in hand and performing as he was Latino performing live in concert. Before the youth members began pulling parishioners from their pews one by one, Coralis was already racing to the dance floor and soon the church was filled with people singing and dancing. The entire three-hour service was filled with African life and drama. Again, another heart filled night in bed! Thank you, Jesus!
Christmas day was simple, a small counter top Christmas tree, a few wrapped presents- chocolate bar, coffee, vanilla, some spices, cards with cash for the students and as traditional as I could an American Christmas meal was served. The students came in and out until 10 pm.
My house is simple and much less than I have ever lived, but it has 4 rooms, a stove, refrigerator, couch and dining table, running water and toilet, items they are not accustomed to having. What I found amazing was how many students would take a coaster from my coffee table, look at it and eventually ask, what is this? These African print coasters will surely find their way back home with me as a reminder of this Christmas in Kenya. It is two days after Christmas and my heart remains full, Thank you Jesus again!
Before I close I want to share with you this message I received from Nixon, a 23-year-old student who was here for Christmas whom I so admire, exactly the way he wrote it. With his permission, I am hoping in the future to learn more about him and share more of him with you.
"Mr Mike..today was one of my happiest days...Suelly i have to humbly say thankyou so much for everything...And for the gift I appreciate..God bless you sir and thankyou"
As we enter more into this Christmas season my prayer for all of us will be for a simpler life, one filled with love and service to others. I know its difficult, the pressures in America are demanding, but I do believe that serving others brings the most gratification and peace to our souls.m
Merry Christmas-2018-Krismasi Njema