Christmas in Vietnam

View the photos of my friends J.P. and Aimee Cima who are doing humanitarian aid in Vietnam. They are showing compassion to those who are in need. Learn more about what they do in Vietnam here.

Cookies from Around the World

Speaking of Christmas carols from around the world, our family had a wonderful time caroling yesterday. A group of us from church drove around town, visiting shut-ins (people in the congregation who are home-bound and can't get to church for health reasons). It was so much fun sharing the Good News about our Savior's birth through music! They really appreciated it. Many of them served hot chocolate and cookies. One woman even served springerle, a German Christmas cookie made with the spice anise. It was shaped with beautiful molds and tasted like black licorice. Maybe you'll be inspired to try one of these cookies from around the world!

Christmas Songs from Around the World

Do you have a favorite Christmas song from another country? Perhaps you've heard of ones like "Oh Tannenbaum" from Germany or "Deck the Halls" from England. But what about these? Try to learn some words from a different language! Share a favorite of yours if you have one.
German
"Behold a Branch Is Growing"
"Maria Walks Amid the Thorn" (Only version I could find.)
"The Christmas Nightingale"
"From Heaven High"
"Maria on the Mountain"
Spanish
"Fum, Fum, Fum" (You can watch some carolers sing it here.)
"The Rocking of the Child"
"A la Nanita Nana" (I think this one is on the movie "Cheetah Girls 2"! They sang it with Belinda. You can look it up on YouTube.)
Swedish
"Mary the Virgin to Bethlehem Went"
"Dance Carol"
"Saint Stephen Was Riding"
Czech
"Come All Ye Shepherds" (Here's a bell choir doing it.)
"Rocking Song"
Polish
"Shepherds, Come A-Running"
"Rockabye Jesus" (Well, maybe you can get the idea from this.)
"Jesus Christ Is Born"
Austrian
"Who's Knocking There?"
"Shepherds, Up!"
"Carol of the Children of Bethlehem"
French
"Bring Your Torches, Jeannette, Isabella" (I don't know who sings this, but it gives you an idea of what the song sounds like.)
"Whence, O Shepherd Maiden?"
Italian
"From Starry Skies Descending"
"Carol of the Bagpipers" (Listen here.)
and my favorite, "Herod Dead"

Christmas in Haiti

A friend just shared a blogsite of a missionary family in Haiti. See how children in Haiti shared the Christmas story.The missionary wrote the song, and an eight-year-old girl sang it! Here are the kids learning the words from Luke 2. You can see the family's home in Haiti. Learn a few quick facts about Haiti here. I don't know this missionary familiy personally, but you can learn more about them at livesayhaiti.blogspot.com.

Santa Lucia night

On Saturday night we went to a friend's house for a "Santa Lucia" evening. They had the Swedish flag hanging outside their house, a fire blazing in the hearth inside the house, and decorations throughout the house. We were immediately served a delicious red punch. I think they said it was made from lingon berries. My kids actually tried a little bit, but were excited to be offered soda instead (My husband told my daughter not to shake the bottle, so what did she do, but shake it up and it sprayed all over the carpet! Ug!). My favorite food, however, was the Swedish meatballs with sauce. They also had other delicious foods like gingerbread cookies, rice pudding, potatoes in a rich sauce, fruit "soup" with blackberries, and a cucumber salad with lime sauce. It was fun to try a taste of another culture's Christmas.

Does your family remember its heritage? What food(s) does your family make each year, as a tradition? Do you have recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation? Does your family or any you know of host a whole evening (every year) dedicated to a certain country?

Christmas Trees from Around the World, part 2

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal.
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.

Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic.
With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.

The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.

A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

Christmas Trees from Around the World

This was a forwarded email that I hope I can pass along:
The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.

The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region.
Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city

A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.

Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.

Advent family event

Well, yesterday was our church's "Savior of the Nations, Come: Christmas Around the World" family event. We had an opening service with some multi-cultural music, but also favorites like "Joy to the World," "Jesus Loves the Little Children," and "Go Tell it On the Mountain." Children dressed up in costumes to represent different areas of the world, and they all knelt at the manger, where we adored the infant king with the hymn "We Praise You and Acknowledge You" (LSB 941). We also emphasized that we are called to go out and share the Good News of our Savior to the ends of the earth. It was neat to see each person in the pew waving a flag to represent a different region. Then families went from room to room stamping their passport as they saw how different regions celebrate our Savior's birth. In the Asia room, we made paper decorations and ate egg rolls and potstickers; in the Latin American room we made lanterns and God's eyes and even broke open a pinata; in the African room we ate goat meat and a rice dish; in the Europe room we learned about the Advent wreath and St. Nicholas Day; in the Carribean Islands room we made feather masks and tried a sorrel drink; and in the British Isles room we had wassail and made candles to place in a window. Are there any multi-cultural celebrations where you live? I live in St. Louis, and just this weekend alone (if I wouldn't have been busy helping with the event at our church), we could have gone to a German celebration in Maeystown, Illinois, or a Los Posadas parade in St. Charles. Share your stories about what is done in your area to tell about customs and celebrations in other parts of the world!

* Please let me know if you'd like to see where I found my images. I have a long list of credits!

Advent Calendar

Do you use an Advent calendar? Check out this online, interactive calendar that gives information about Christmas around the world.

"Savior of the Nations, Come" background

http://www.hope-aurora.org/pages/PastorsPage.html
The first day of December! Are your Advent celebrations in full swing? I just got back from choir practice. What are your favorite Advent hymns?
Read this article about the hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come," which is the inspiration for my book Christmas Around the World.
Advent joy!
Brenda

Thanksgiving Around the World

At Thanksgiving time, I thought it might be appropriate to consider food resources and hunger around the world. When my kids are taking their bath and fill the tub with almost as much water as it can hold, I remind them that some kids have to walk for hours just to get water, and then it's still not water that we're used to. I thought you might have fun with this video game.
From the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian agency, Food Force is a free educational video game telling the story of a hunger crisis on the fictitious island of Sheylan.
Comprised of 6 mini-games or “missions”, the game takes young players from an initial crisis assessment through to delivery and distribution of food aid, with each sequential mission addressing a particular aspect of this challenging process.
As you enjoy your dinner, thank God for all the blessings He's given us and say a prayer for those around the world who do not have as much as you.

Christmas in Jamaica

My husband went to Jamaica a few years ago. He heard a lot of jokes about people questioning whether it was really a mission trip or not, but if you saw the children in need, you'd know it wasn't a "day at the beach." He helped out at an orphanage, Robin's Nest. He went in the heat of summer, but I wonder what it would be like at Christmas time...
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse? Visions of sugar plums dancing in your head? More like lizards and insects crawling past your head!
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash? I don't think they had windows. I think everything was pretty open. No air conditioning either.
...went straight to his work. He filled up the stockings and turned with a jerk? I don't think these kids expect too much for Christmas. They don't have parents, and the only gifts they receive are what people donate.
They're actually blessed with a nice building for Jamaica's standards. But my husband showed me pictures of shacks that people actually live in, until someone kicks them off of their land. I am not exagerating that I know dog houses that are much nicer than these shacks. Sorry I couldn't find the pictures.
They're actually blessed with a pool, but what else can you do when it's so hot? And many of the children have special needs.
There was a church in a nearby village, but definitely no stained glass windows and fancy altar.
They do have food, but most of it is donated. Would you climb up a tree to get a mango? I'm not sure if they have money for a special Christmas dinner, though.
The orphanage is up in the mountians, but Jamaica does have nice beaches...just be careful about the drug dealers that approach you.
Well, thinking of Jamaica makes me appreciate our blessings from God, which is especially appropriate to take more time do at Thanksgiving. And at Christmastime, we receive so many blessings, especially compared to other children. Please keep in your prayers: these orphans, the ministry of Robin's Nest, and the Jamaican people who so often turn to drugs or voo doo-type practices as their way to cope with problems in life. We pray they all know the comfort and hope that the baby Jesus brought into the world.

Where will the Lord lead you?

Rev. Patrick and Jennifer O'Neal serve the Lord as missionaries based in Seoul, South Korea beginning in August of 2006. Patrick has been called to work as Strategic Mission Developer - North Asia. Specifically, he is working closely with the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) as they develop regional strategies for mission work in North Asia. Already a number of congregations in the LCK are involved in short-term mission trips and training evangelists. It is hoped that the LCMS and LCK can develop some joint mission projects and plans so that more people in North Asia might have their hearts set Ablaze! through hearing the Gospel.

The O'Neals served as missionaries in Kingston, Jamaica from 2004-2006. Prior to that, Patrick served as a parish pastor in Algona, Iowa. Patrick graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1999 and his undergraduate work was completed at the University of California, San Diego. Patrick grew up in Camarillo, Calif. His interests include woodworking, calligraphy, and photography.

Jennifer also attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, in the Masters in Arts and Religion program. She and Patrick met there and were married. Before attending the Seminary, Jennifer was the director of the LCMS Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) program in Taiwan. She spent 10 years in Taiwan and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Jennifer graduated from Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. She was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Jennifer enjoys tea, music/theater, letter writing, cooking, and spending time with friends.


The O'Neals are blessed with three children. John and Grace attend Seoul Foreign School and James is an at-home preschooler.

Rev. O'Neal was at my husband's congregation in Iowa. Who would have thought God would send him halfway around the world to share the Gospel?! I wonder where the Lord will lead you.

Please pray for Patrick, Jennifer, and their children as they adjust to the new culture and lifestyle in Korea. Pray for: effective language learning as they study Korean; the health and safety of the entire family; and good relationships with colleagues in the LCK so that fruitful partnerships and projects might be developed to reach the people of this region.

Christmas Decorations

My five-year-old daughter wants to put up Christmas decorations already! I let her dig through a few boxes, but I told her we have to at least wait until after Thanksgiving. What do you think? My kids are learning Christmas songs already in Sunday School.
My favorite Christmas decoration is my olive wood nativity that I bought when I went on a backpacking trip to Israel. It's special to me because of the memory of the trip, because it's hand-carved, because I had to bargain with the shopkeeper for a price I could afford, but most of all because it's from the birthplace of our Savior!

What's your favorite Christmas decoration at your home? Why?

What's your favorite Christmas decoration from another country that was mentioned in the book? Why?

Check out some decorating scenes from the past few years . . . meet my family.

Christmas in Korea

SUCCESSFUL WINTER ENGLISH CAMP AT LTU
BY REV. PATRICK O’NEAL
LCMS MISSIONARY IN KOREA
Luther University’s ESL camp January 7–25, 2008 was a success! Rev. Mark and Lynelle Hansen and Jeremiah Dost were recruited by LCMS World Mission as short-term missionaries for 3 weeks in this first-of-its-kind program at LTU. They taught along with Robert Collin who is full time at LTU.
The work load was quite heavy, with six 40 minute classes each day and preparing the next days lessons. I know at times it was a struggle, but the team did wonderfully. They reported leaning on God’s strength and also coming to better appreciate some of the challenges that career missionaries face in the field.
Each day the teachers had the opportunity to lead a class on a Bible story. The ladies in Pastor Hansen’s congregations (Faith and St. John in Deloit & Kiron, Iowa) had prepared books on the Christmas story using old Christmas cards as the pictures. In the final week, the classes prepared a Bible-story skit for their parents. Pastor Hansen preached at the closing program (with translation by Dr. Roh, English Dept. Chairman) – an event in which he rejoiced in being able to proclaim Jesus’ power over death.
Not only was this event good for Luther University, but it was also good for the individual students. About half of the 45 student were not believers, so we rejoice in these children hearing the Good News of Jesus. We are also glad for the 30-40 parents who attended the closing service and had the opportunity to hear the Gospel.
Thanks to Mark, Lynelle, and Jeremiah for willingly serving and sacrificing so that these beloved children could not only learn more English, but also hear the Words of eternal life. That’s what Ablaze! is all about.

Social Studies Opportunity

I challenge your class to create an “Adopt” a missionary Web site. The purpose is to keep people informed about this missionary and life in that part of the world. LCMS World Mission has information about people serving in all parts of the world. Here are some suggestions for an outline:
• The Web site should include information about the missionary.
o Where stationed, Family members, ways he/she/they are communicating the Gospel to that region
o Share the missionary’s needs (must be updated at least twice a month): personal prayer requests, financial support need, physical items that could be made or purchased and shipped
Get the word out about their ministry! You can make a difference and enhance the potential impact of their efforts. Although missionaries may not have the time or capacity to personally reply to your emails, know that your prayers and/or financial support mean a lot.
• The Web site should provide some information about life in that part of the world.
Demographics
 Population
 Population Density
 Population Growth
 Life Expectancy
 Median Age
 Birth/Death Rate
 Religions
 Languages
Geography
 Location
 Square Miles
 Boarding Countries
 Terrain
 Land use
 Natural Resources
 Capital city
 Largest Cities with population
 Economy
 Currency
 Unemployment Rate
 Industries
 Agricultural Products
 Imports
 Exports
 GDP
Update if there is any news-worthy, current event in that region. Readers will know what issues or challenges face the people in that part of the world. And you may want to update your site to share the latest regional events or celebrations.

Christmas in China

China is another country in which we don't always think of Christmas celebrations. You're probably more likely to hear about the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebrations. But in recent years, Christianity is really spreading in China! Praise the Lord! Hear what a friend of mine, Aaron Voth, has to share about his experiences:

Ni hao! Hello from the “Middle Kingdom,” China! My name is Aaron and I have been living in China since 2005. I came to China to teach English Language classes to college students. China is a wonderful and exciting place to live. It is very different from America, but that is why I like living here so much.

In China they have many of their own traditional holidays, but they also celebrate some Western holidays, such as Christmas. Even though Christmas is not a traditional Chinese holiday, every year I see more and more Christmas decorations in the streets as China tries to adopt holidays from other countries.

Even though Christmas is being celebrated more and more here in China, most Chinese people do not understand the real reason we celebrate this holiday. When you ask Chinese people what the meaning of Christmas is, they will often talk about Santa Claus and Christmas trees and presents. But even though the people do not always know the true meaning of Christmas, it is hidden in their language, kind of like a hidden code! Let me show you what I mean!

In the Chinese language, the word for Christmas is 圣诞 节 – Shèng Dàn Jié. Here is what each word (or character) means:
Shèng dàn jié – “Christmas”
Shèng - 圣 – “Holy, sacred”
Dàn - 诞 – “birth”
Jié - 节 – “celebration, festival”

So the meaning of the Chinese word for Christmas is “A celebration of a Holy birth”! I wonder whose birth that would be… 

Another example is the Chinese word for Christmas Eve: 平安夜 - Píng Ān Yè. Here is what each word (or character) means:
Píng Ān Yè – “Christmas Eve”
Píng - 平 – “peaceful, calm”
Ān - 安 – “still, quiet”
Yè - 夜 – “night”

So the meaning of the Chinese word for Christmas Eve is “a peaceful, quiet night”! Does anyone remember the lyrics to the song Silent Night? “All is calm, all is bright…” It’s just like the Chinese word!

When I teach my Chinese students about the true meaning of Christmas, I show them how their very own language tells the true Christmas story. That way they can understand that the Christmas holiday is not only an American holiday, but a holiday for everyone! Please pray that the Chinese people, and people all around the world, would know the true meaning of Christmas!

10-year-old organist

How can you use your gifts to tell other people about our Savior Jesus? Have you ever played a musical instrument in church or chapel? Have you ever read Scripture in church or chapel? Have you ever acted out a Bible story in church or chapel? Leave a comment or take this poll and tell us how. Hear a ten-year-old play the hymn my book is based on. Pretty good, huh? The arrangement of the hymn is by Paul Manz, a famous Lutheran composer who just died a week ago. Did you know that Martin Luther helped write the words (the German translation)? Look them up on page 332 in Lutheran Service Book , follow this link, or look at page 30 in Christmas Around the World.

Christmas Celebration Webquest

TRAVELERS READY?? Pack your bags and journey around the world in search of Christmas Celebrations. You will be stopping at each of the seven continents to stamp your passport and collect information about the festivals. Learn geography, practice some language arts skills, and see how or if the birth of Jesus is recognized around the world.

Sharing Christ in Uganda

My friend Michelle Gillard explains, "You can share the Gospel very openly in Uganda. I have found that visiting people over and over again builds a relationship with them. After they are connected to you personally they are very open to hearing the Gospel and even attending church. In Uganda it is the same as anywhere in the world....caring for people personally is the first step to sharing Christ."

Can you pray for Jake and Michelle Gillard's efforts to share Christ? Michelle told me that they can always use prayers for protection on the roads and relationships. "Driving is dangerous and Jacob drives a lot. Pray for me and the girls to find ex-pat friends. We have a lot of African friends but would love an American mom with little girls to play with. Pray for my Ugandan girlfriends who have constant issues that prevent them from coming closer to God."

An immediate financial need is in regard to an upcoming missionary retreat. Jake and Michelle need some financial support toward childcare at their East African Missionary retreat. Jacob's parents will be in Uganda for a mission trip and have agreed to stay longer to watch the kids. Michelle explains, "This was just a fluke in timing that is fantastic. But there are no funds available to pay for their expenses." Any support can be sent with our name and with a written direction to go for "Gillard missionary retreat child care expenses".

No Christmas? What if? Why not?

Less than 2 months now until Christmas. Can you believe it? Have you already started thinking about it? After Halloween's over, will you start thinking about it more?
What if we didn't really celebrate Christmas...what if it wasn't such a big deal? My missionary friends in Uganda, Africa, say that it's pretty low key there. Christmas is basically just a national vacation. People go back to their village to spend time with family, but Christmas services really aren't even a big part of it. Michelle said they did cut down branches of a juniper tree and did things at home with her own two little girls, but at church Father Christmas passed out candy and danced with the children.
What if that was it? What if we didn't do all the decorating, baking, parties, and church services? Why do you think they don't? I wonder how many people in the world don't celebrate Christmas. Did you know that only 1/3 of the world's population believes in Jesus? That means 2/3 are not Christians.

Christmas Around the World

I'm so excited to introduce my new book, Christmas Around the World. I think you will enjoy learning about holiday customs around the world. You can imagine what it would be like to be a child living in another land! But although children around the world have different ways of celebrating Christmas, we can all celebrate the same thing . . . the birth of the Savior of the world. I pray that you enjoy reading about children in other countries, but most of all, I pray that you would learn more about what one special little boy in Bethlehem did 2,000 years ago.

Brenda Trunkhill