We have a tradition in our family that the first year we are in a new place we spend Christmas in our own home. It almost seems funny to me that we have to make that a tradition, but in our almost 6 years of marriage we have lived in 4 countries!! So, this year we spent Christmas in our home in Tirane. We received our shipment from Peru in enough time to have our Christmas decorations unpacked and up in time to welcome Doug’s parents who came to spend Christmas week with us and to meet their 6th grandchild, Sarah.

Within our house, Christmas was very peaceful. We relaxed and enjoyed time with family & friends. However, it struck me as quite strange that outside the walls of our house life continued as normal. Here in Albania Christmas day is not a public holiday, so as we drove across town to celebrate on Christmas morning it was just like a normal weekday. The markets were open, people were out and about, and the traffic was as crazy as it usually is!

Sarah was dedicated on Christmas morning in a service that preceded a lunch that was served to some of the poorest families that live in the community. It was particularly meaningful, firstly because if was Christmas day and secondly because of the congregation that was present that morning. The building was packed to overflowing with children and their parents awaiting their Christmas lunch. May the message of the day along with Sarah’s dedication touch the lives present that morning!