The Christmas and New Year holidays carry many memories and traditions which vary greatly from culture to culture around the world.  Today we bring you to South Africa to listen to three TWR staff members tell of their holiday traditions.  Listen to the vital importance of close relationships to the African people.

Jesus celebrated Christmas under African skies - no snow, no lights or decorations – a young toddler under the protection of his traveling parents.

Today Africans still celebrate Christmas and the entrance into a New Year under deep blue African skies, this time of year being very hot throughout Africa.

As an Afrikaans-speaking South African from European descent, my Christmas is celebrated with family. Families go to church, and then enjoy a feast! Oupas and Oumas (grandpas and grandmas), children and grandchildren, aunties and uncles meet at one family member’s house to enjoy a meal fit for kings. A table is set outside on a veranda or under a lapa (thatch covered gazebo).  Afterwards gifts are exchanged and family ties rekindled.

My friend, Jacqueline, a South African descending from the Pedi people group, has similar memories from her childhood. On Christmas morning, small gifts are given to the children and then they attend the Christmas service at church. A sheep or a goat is slaughtered and cooked along with traditional African side-dishes such as pap (an African corn-based dish) and sesheba (African gravy).  Cookies at Christmas are always a treat for the children. In the Pedi culture, the host family supplies food for everyone, and if people walking by want to join, they are always welcome.

Every year, a community feast is held, hosted by the various heads of villages. This usually takes place on New Year’s Day. On these occasions children from different sections have competitions consisting of short dramas, music or other talents.

Another friend of mine here in South Africa is Juliet, originally from Ghana, who also tells of her memories of Christmas. In Ghana, Christmas festivities start on Christmas Eve when everyone goes to a candlelight watch-night service at their church. These services can last from a few hours in the evening to the entire night.

On Christmas morning, everyone dresses up in their finest clothes (often just received as Christmas gifts) to attend the Christmas morning church service.  After church, communities go around visiting their neighbors to wish them a happy Christmas. Visitors are served food at every house they visit! Some churches have parades, walking through the streets singing Christmas songs.

Christmas in Ghana is a great time of reconciliation; wayward children come home for the day, people who have quarreled ask the elders to help them resolve their differences, all in respect of family and friends at Christmas.

Three testimonies to traditions here under African skies, all bringing peace and joy to others in community, as Christians, to honor the Lord Jesus!