It is December 21st - 4 days from Christmas, and it is almost impossible to convince us here in such a tropical climate that the Christmas season is upon us (already on top of us!). Each morning before 6am the air is already thick with humidity & the sun bearing down. Today was 45C=115F in the shade! This convinces our bodies & minds that anything "Christmasy" is far from us - but the truth hurts each time we look at the pile of unwritten Christmas cards that wait to be sent to our loved ones. This is our attempt at a timely Christmas greeting...the handwritten ones will sadly be sent sometime hereafter.
It is this time of year where nostalgia of Christmases past tug at our heart strings...Memories of special times spent with family amidst all those traditions that are familiar & lovely fill our minds and thoughts, and pull us toward a yearning of being amidst such familiar & lovely & comfortable surroundings again. As the Christmas season is about fellowship & being close to friends & family we almost tangibly feel something missing; that something is all of you. Lacking familiar environmental reminders we are brought to the very genuine (not sugar-coated or beautifully wrapped) truth of what Christmas is. It's not about the presents, or decorating the Christmas tree, it's not about eggnog by the fire, or Santa Claus, it's not about snow, or holiday time or a big Christmas dinner - all these are benefits that we experience in the Western world because of celebratory traditions.
Christmas is truly the celebration of a gift that is so misunderstood and even twisted at times - sometimes people remember that Christmas has something to do with a nativity story - baby Jesus in a manger; something about shepherds & a star; 3 kings; something about no room at the inn; maybe an angel here & there...but let us go one step further...what is it all about? For me, I cannot think about Christmas without seeing Jesus on the cross & then His resurrection...Christmas blending into Easter; the gift of Jesus is in His birth, His death & His resurrection. Our King came to earth to redeem us all, humbling Himself in His sovereignty & wisdom, limiting Himself to humanity. For thousands of years all the people waited in anticipation of He who would bring freedom...and Jesus' birth is to be celebrated as it is the beginning of hope seen - and this hope is only fully realized in Jesus' obedience to death & His resurrection thereafter. We have victory as His resurrection broke the chains of death. There is now HOPE for humankind - & not just hope, but hope realized that the veil that separated has been torn. This is the amazing & complete wonder of Christmas; the whole picture; the extravagant mystery of God's perfect plan. Jesus embodies a fathomless, extravagant grace, mercy & love that we will not fully understand until we meet God face to face. And THIS is what we are celebrating as we celebrate Jesus' birth on Christmas day.
The gospel of Jesus Christ - the meaning of Christmas is pure & simple & untainted in Mozambique. It is life giving hope to those who have none - now making what has always been impossible now possible.
We try to live this reality of Christmas day in, day out here in Mozambique. Giving hope to the hopeless, food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, family to the orphan - all along demonstrating this hope realized - demonstrating & speaking the good news that Jesus has come and overcome sin & death- Jesus is victorious and in Him people find life even in a world where one can see sin & death everywhere if they choose so. In knowing & believing we no longer need to be subject to what we see with our eyes as we can now walk by faith & not by sight. Yet, here, by faith AND by sight we are privileged to see death overcome day in, day out.
This December has brought us many gifts & opportunities to be the hands & feet of Jesus. Our gifts have come in the forms of many little babies who had no hope & now are finding their hope realized. Please welcome with us baby Jeremias 4months, baby Silvia 2months, baby Horacio 2years, baby Cacilda 2months, baby Alda1year, & our tiniest gift, baby Sheila who was 4 weeks old & less than 4lbs on her arrival last week. They are growing more healthy by the minute & we're loving every moment as we get to unwrap more & more of these precious gifts, whether it be a first smile,a first step, or even just a peaceful sleep.
It is true that we miss each & every one of you. But we thank God that our family here is so full. God has surrounded us with friends & "family" that we laugh with, cry with & celebrate with. God is faithful to supplying our every need. Our Christmas celebrations are full - feast for the workers, candlelight service for all, gifts & festivities for the children, even special moments for just us missionaries. And we look forward to sharing our song of Deck the Halls as the missionary staff of Zimpeto singing Fa la la la la, la la la la for all who wish to laugh, & sing along.
May you experience joy this year as your hopes are realized.
Blessings & love from us this Christmas & this New Year.
Sheri & Matthew
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