Christmas Spirit in Bloudan

Father Soma’an stated that: “The hymns were so delightful and spiritual and I believe that, alongside with the prayers, they are the most important aspect  -not only on Christmas but every day- because they are a way of communication with God”.

He added: “The Christmas tree, the lights and Santa Claus bring so much joy and happiness to the children, but we should not forget the essence of Christmas, the symbol of peace and love, Jesus Christ”.

One of the organizers of the children’s ceremony said: “We were divided into many groups of work; a group responsible for ideas, a group for decorating, another for lighting, for dressing and so on in order to do something new.”

He pointed out that the children did not sing the hymns in a traditional way, rather it was full of motions, in addition to dressing them with spiritual symbols such as lights or making them carry hearts.

“Even the Christmas play was done in a different way this year; through the screen of shadows. Despite all the stress that we faced, we had this harmony in work, this love for one another, we all were one hand and that was what made our ceremony succeed greatly.”

Not to mention Santa’s tour in the streets of the village with the participation of all the youth as they visited every child and gave them presents drawing smiles on their faces and wishing them a Merry Christmas.

Now, let us see another celebration. The Evangelical National Church in Bloudan celebrated Christmas in their own way. Aside from the main ceremony, for nearly a week, there were separate celebrations for each age stage; the children, the youth, and even the ladies of the church.

What about the main, or let me say the big celebration named ‘Your Home is in our Hearts’? It was really good actually. The children brought so much happiness and joy to the hearts of the audience with their voices and smiles.

For the play, it was not about the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, no. Actually it was about something more spiritual and more practical. It talked about a poor family that was mostly concerned about Christmas and how they would celebrate it and despite their poverty they clung to their faith in God.

One of the actors said about the play: “The father of this family represents a true believer who taught his children to always be kind and to give with their hearts open. His son, while coming from work on Christmas Eve, in terribly cold weather, gave his only jacket to a destitute sleeping in the streets with a smile on his face saying ‘Merry Christmas’, for he had been taught that every person on earth deserves the infinite joy of loving and being loved.”

This is the meaning of Christmas. It is not about Santa Claus, nor the Christmas tree, nor the lights; it is about kindness, love and humility, and that is how Christmas was in Bloudan, full of joy, kindness and love.

From Bloudan we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.