Christmastime is growing near, it is only a week away now and I wanted to share some things that I have noticed here in Tanzania. Christmas is meant to be a celebration of our Savior’s birth, and many of us do celebrate this true meaning of Christmas. Christmas comes with many different traditions. For me it usually means spending time with family and friends, special events at church and in the community and of course has the bonus of some delicious food and giving and receiving gifts. It is a blessing to get to spend time with family and friends, and that is something I am going to really miss this year since I am thousands of miles away from home. However, it seems like Christmas in North America always ends up being a time of busyness, stress, and last minute shopping rather than a time to relax and enjoy time spent with those we love.
I had previously assumed that Christmas was like that all over the world, but I have discovered that I was wrong. The commercialization of Christmas doesn’t seem to have hit Tanzania with a full punch yet, and I like it. Yes, there are guys selling Christmas trees in intersections where there are traffic jams and yes, the mall has a Christmas display, but there isn’t a push to buy the toy of the year or the pressure to buy the perfect gift for everyone you know. It seems to me that we North Americans can learn something from Tanzanians. Most people I have talked to here are still planning to spend time with family and friends at Christmas, but it seems like they are going to enjoy the people and not the stuff. I am not saying gifts, decorations, and special events are all bad, I’m just pointing out that it is the time spent with loved ones to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior that is what Christmas is really about.
I am looking forward to spending my Christmas with a friend, who is also far from home, in South Africa. Even though I will be miles away, please know that I value each and every one of the family members and friends that God has given me. I pray that you will be blessed this Christmas as you spend time with loved ones and enjoy the best gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ who came to die on the cross and save us from our sins. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Amen! Asante sana.
Two blogs at once!! Boy, I’m lovin’ that! So glad you had a chance to see your folks…. they must miss you soooo much! I know we can’t wait for your return home either.
Take care and I’ll talk to you via e-mail later (I didn’t want to interupt your parents visit earlier, so I haven’t written). Oh, “yes” you know I want to see pics!!!
Hi Rachel,
I’ve just came across your blog and was captured by your story on how you went about obtaining your license. It’s really funny to hear it from an American perspective. I had my first license in America and can understand your frustration at the beuracratic system we still plod on. I know the system(s) is far better in America, UK, and in many other developed nations (have only lived in the UK and USA). But most of these developed, organized, and ‘systemized’ countries have been existing as free nations for over 300 years! They went through this stages several millennia ago. Without trying to make excuses for the poor systems in Tanzania, I believe things will be just as good 200 years from now! (If Jesus tarries)