Merry Christmas!

We have been able to celebrate Christmas several times here. To the left is the party we had at our home a few days ago for Christmas and the end of the semester. In a college community, there is a huge, collective sigh when the semester is over! We had about 20 people here from the apartments and enjoyed a lovely time together.


Next we went down to Meknes and had Christmas dinner with Ron and family on the 23rd. The following day their friends came over for a wonderful talk in which Ron connected the three major holidays from the three major religions (Hanukkah - two weeks ago, Christmas, Eid - New Year's Day).

Hanukkah is when Jews (Laurie's background) celebrate the time between the testaments when the Maccabees regained the Temple and cleansed it after a pig had been sacrificed there. They only had enough oil to light the candles for one day, but miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.

Christmas is the time when the Messiah came to earth and fulfilled all the prophecies, coming as the "Light of the world." He came as the perfect substitute sacrifice for the sin for which we should have to pay.

Next there is Eid, which Muslims will celebrate either the 31st or the 1st (depending on the moon). This is when they remember the provision of the ram for Abraham so he would not have to sacrifice Ishmael. But wasn't that Isaac, you say? Not in the Koran. And remember, all Arabs are descendants of Ishmael, so they say that is the blessed line. Eid is celebrated with the sacrifice of a perfect lamb. Catch the connection?

We see lots of sheep these days - all being bought or sold for Eid. You know how in the USA before July 4 or Christmas, they set up tents in parking lots to sell items for the holiday? Here all the tents are set up too - only they are all selling sheep. We hear there is even an on-line service where you can order your own sheep and it gets delivered!

It is a odd feeling to walk into stores and see signs celebrating the new year but almost no mention of Christmas. Or to be driving on Christmas day and see workers building houses, children going to school, life going on as ususal. The Christmas lights on our window are the only ones in this city of 10,000. It makes us stop and think.

Love to all of you this season. May you treasure the gift of knowing what Christmas is all about!