This is the time of year when many families travel to be together over the holidays. Since my family celebrates together during the warm summertime, when families schedules can finally get it together to be together and celebrate Christmas, it has given me an opportunity to travel to faraway lands. And so, I have been able to spend Christmas around the world.

I’ve found that the Christmas spirit can be all over the world. In 1987, I spent Christmas Eve worshiping in a cave on the shepherd hills of Bethlehem Israel. Another Christmas Eve I was in Austria singing Silent night, not far from where the song was first sung on the Austrian hills so many years ago. 

I can remember on ChristmasDay, climbing the hill and back of the Calvarian church with the seven stages of the cross in Austria. And how can I ever forget my special moments with the bent winged angels in their beds, at the crippled Children's Hospital in Bethlehem. And while spending Christmas one year in England, I heard the boys choir singing the Christmas carols in the Winchester Cathedral. Christmas and children bring joys to our seasons of joy.

Spending Christmas in Nigeria West Africa was a very unique experience. Learning about the customs and culture of other countries is indeed an enriching experience. I arrived in Nigeria a couple of days before the Sunday before Christmas. Preparing for Christmas in this third world country is very important. The real reason for the season and holiday, also known as “holy day” is uppermost in their minds. That Sunday before Christmas, I attended a long, six hour church service in the great outdoors of the bush country. The choir sang heavenly music. Now remember three dance offerings, where the giving of gifts was very important for the season. Many were baptized and confirmed in this service. Christmas Day too,  was a very solemn experience worshiping at the little church in the village this time.

Children were a very important part of this service. As I presented a pageant. And again offerings were an important part of the service. It was a day where families together shared the real meaning of Christmas. The day after is known as Boxing Day in their culture. And it is then and only then, when the gifts are given and received. A very special meal is served which is rice and goat meat. The Christmas season is special for family. On the day before the New Years, homes are given a special cleaning and the night, which we call New Year's Eve, is spent worshiping in the little church and the village. The hymns sung are very meaningful and joyful for the season. When you shake hands, you shake with both hands, which is a symbol of love and true friendship.

A Warm Thought: We are all travelers in the world. And the best that we find in our travels is a true and honest friend.

Have a beautiful Christmas season filled with peace and joy.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

December 23, 1999

Published in the Marion Record

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina