I’m Emily Werness and songs have the power to trigger memories and can instantly bring you back to a moment in time. When I started listening to Christmas music in Vietnam, back in November, Josh Groban’s “O Come All Ye Fatithful” came on my shuffle and it brought me back instantly to baking Christmas cookies, decorating the tree on Black Friday, and just curling up on the couch watching White Christmas. In this moment it hit me that this Christmas was going to be different. This Christmas was going to be something special. There wouldn’t be snow or lights or all the decorations, treats, and traditions like normal. It hit me that I have let Christmas become associated with all of my own traditions and maybe that’s why missing this Christmas was hard at first. But really, that’s not the point of this season at all. It is only about Christ and the miracle of his birth, which is completed in you and me. It is about the beauty of the Gospel and crazy the love of our Father. Everything else is stripped away and this Christmas, and every Christmas, is just about Him! For this reason, this Christmas in Uganda has been one of the best in my life.
Christmas morning looked similar to home, but different. Same, same but different if you will. As I awoke from my Christmas Eve slumber, I was greeted with hugs and warm wishes of “Merry Christmas!” from our family and my team. Then…what a sight greeted me upon entering the dining room: candles lit, Josh Groban’s deep, rich voice filled the air with praises to the newborn King, and there in the middle of the table sat HUGE, REAL, chocolate covered donuts, Starbucks Christmas coffee, a can of sprinkles, and whipped cream!! Needless to say we were all overjoyed by these simple surprises from our amazing squad leader Clark! We exchanged strange and interesting white elephant gifts among all the laughter and sleepy smiles, and then all took time to dress in our Christmas best and off to church we went!
Church part one was as lively and joyous as ever – hours of shouting, dancing, and singing praises to God, giving him the glory as we remembered and celebrated the miracle of Christ’s birth all those years ago. My team had the opportunity to minister to the congregation through a song and dance medley of Christmas carols and I had the privilege of preaching – sharing the Christmas story and how God uses the most unlikely and humblest of characters to bring about his plan of salvation for the world. The Spirit filled that place to the brim and it shone through the face of each person there. Church part two later that night was interesting to say the least as they ministered to us through a two hour drama in Lugandan. It is a night I know I won’t soon forget!
Thanks to donations from friends and family at home we were able to go Christmas shopping and buy gifts for almost 20 people!! (Our family we live with, some people at church who have really helped us here and come alongside us in ministry, and extended family that have served and loved us in all they do.) We were able to surprise them all that afternoon with cards and a gift. We didn’t even get to the gifts before their faces lit up and voices shouted for joy upon being handed a Christmas card made just for them. It was apparent to us that gift exchanging is not really a part of Christmas here. These seemingly small tokens – a pair of earrings, a bracelet, a jersey, a belt, and some sandals – produced a response of joy and laughter that I have never seen on any Christmas before in my life. It was a beautiful and memorable moment to be a part of – loving them this way. It filled my heart with joy!
For me, I love how being away from all the distractions and “stuff” leaves the one thing that matters, the root of Christmas: Christ. It’s simple! When it comes down to it, how much of what I associate with Christmas is just worldly tradition? It’s all empty nonsense without Christ! Without praising and glorifying our great God and acknowledging the absolute miracle that is the birth and life of Jesus Christ, what is this holiday? Without spending it with family, laughing and praising Him together?! It’s meaningless! Christ is the only thing that matters – a tiny baby born to wear a crown; born to save us all. The miracle of Christmas is that it continues with YOU – in all of us who claim faith in Christ – he lives in us! AMEN!!
I’m Emily Werness and the warmth from the laughter and smiles shared by my team Christmas morning, the pure joy and surprise on the faces of our family as they opened their gifts, and the beautiful chorus of voices raised in glory to God was all I needed to make this Christmas one of the best ever and to remind me what really lies at the heart of this season.
Christmas Day with our family
