Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas

I was attending a holiday event, and one of the speakers, who is not American, wished everybody season’s greetings, saying: “Happy Christmas.” It sparked in my mind something I’ve often wondered. Why does no one, in America, use happy in reference to Christmas? Maybe merry is the superlative to happy. Maybe merry is a subliminal reference to Mary. Maybe happy is reserved for New Year, and saying Happy Christmas and New Year just doesn’t work. In any case, HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Since 2006, I have spent about seven years in Niger. This is now my third term. Over the years, I have certainly felt supported by the church in which I grew up, the Bridge Mustang. However, this time it seems I have felt their support more acutely. This has been a more complicated transition with several more moving pieces than the last two times I moved to Africa. Perhaps trapeze performers appreciate the safety net more when they are obligated by circumstances to use it. The outpouring of good will from the church and its members has been invaluable. When we left last July, a going-away party was organized. After our departure, several individuals pledged their prayers and finances to us. Then, we were included (in absentia) in the missions emphasis event, and as a result of the display material that was produced for this event, my parents now own a life-sized picture of us (insert broad grin here). Mikey was given a cloth that contains several of his friends’ signatures, and he considers this one of his special possessions. And, of course, a particular staff pastor is still a key component of my connection to Friends of Faith, the organization that provides us with tax and legal covering. A letter such as this doesn’t afford the necessary parameters to express our appreciation.

I’d like to tell you the story of one of the young Christians in Niger. He and his family live in a village in an area where the worship of spirits is very common. Such animism is widespread in many parts of Africa but is limited here due to the influence of Islam. One evening, the family was listening to the radio. Radio is a popular medium of entertainment. The radio show hosted a Muslim religious leader who preached fervently against idol worship. The family felt convicted of their spiritism and set out in search of a mosque at which to repent. However, they couldn’t find a mosque but did find a French Christian missionary who led many of them to Christ. Today, one of the members of this family, a soon-to-be college student, desires to be a pastor.

Please keep the stability of Niger in your prayers. Niger is one of several countries that has pledged to militarily combat ISIS in the region. As a result, Nigerien troops and military bases have become a target. Recently, more than seventy soldiers were killed in an attack. It was a dark day. Pray for these families, and pray for the Christians in their communities that they would be a light of hope. Pray also for the militants that their actions would bring them deep guilt and conviction so that they might hunger for genuine peace.

I was plunking around on the piano the other day (it’s hard to call what I do to the piano playing), and I was trying to read the chords and the words at the same time. The song was “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” I was rolling along and I sang: The dead Christ enters in. It didn’t seem right, so I squinted. Oh: Dear Christ. But, in a way, it works. The manger is meaningless without the cross. And though Jesus is clearly not still dead, his death and resurrection enables the full meaning of the Christmas season.

 

Merry Christmas, and Thank You