O.K. so I have celebrated my last 3 birthdays somewhere in the world other than home but this is my first time to experience the Christmas holiday in another land. Can I talk in circles and say it’s “the same but different?” Here are some random observations I have made about Christmas in Africa.

-Santa Claus is still the star. You will find his likeness at most of the stores and shopping centers. No “live” Santas waiting around for kids to sit on his lap though, just really bad statues and the like. Thing that amazes me is they are ALL white. Seems like in Africa there would be some black Santas. Who made the rule that Santa Claus was white anyhow?

-Homes decked out in gaudy arrays of light strings? Not here. Least I have not seen any. I’m betting anyone who does have these displays are homesick Americans or Europeans.

-Nativity Scenes. I have only seen one and I’m not sure it even qualifies. It was really a rather traumatic experience.  Mary and Joseph were store manequins with bad wigs. The 3 wise men were all “anatomically correct” female manequins wearing bath robes and slippers. The animals present were actually all reindeer apparently pirated from another Christmas display. I figured this out because one of them had a bright red nose. Baby Jesus was an evil looking plastic doll dressed in a plaid suit, looked like one of those Chucky dolls. He was “lying in a manger” that consisted of a cardboard box stuffed full of dead grass and pine needles. Guess you gotta give them an “E” for effort. Wish I had a picture of that one though!!!

-Bell ringers at every storefront. Not a one to be seen here. I’m sure if they had them it would also require a security guard to be present so nobody gets mugged. Kinda defeats the purpose I guess.

-Snow or even cold weather. Not happening here. It’s the beginning of summertime in Africa. Let the heat begin!!  The number one criteria for choosing a restaurant is “do they have AC?” Criteria number 2 is, “if they have AC, will they have it turned on today?”

-It’s okay to use the word Christmas here. No need to be “sensitive” to the heathens. Nobody here screams about their rights. No need to say holiday season or any of the other politically correct terms we seem to think we have to use in the U.S. so we don’t hurt anyones feelings. I better move on!!

-Candy canes. That must be 100% American. Have not seen or heard of them here.

So where am I going with all this? I really don’t know. Just thought it would be fun to give you a glimpse of Africa during this season of joy. Can’t wait to celebrate Christmas in Zimbabwe next year. Maybe I will see Mr. Mugabe dressed up as Santa Claus.

The important thing to remember this time of year is that we celebrate the true blessing that God gave us. He gave us Himself, clothed in flesh in the form of His son Jesus. What a world changing event to celebrate that the creator of the universe loved us enough to send His only son to live among us, knowing that His mission was the redemption of mankind, to save us from ALL of our sins. Read Luke chapter 2 for yourself this week. Lets celebrate JESUS in our own personal way this Christmas. Give to Him the praise, adoration and glory that He deserves.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!!!!