Christmas in Northern Ireland

Christmas. Man! Has it really just come and gone? I literally feel like I was just FaceTimeing my sister, chatting about Thanksgiving and discussing Christmas being about more than just traditions. 

Soon after this conversation, I embarked on my first ever journey of making and sending Christmas cards. After making at least 60 cards, I've decided that in 2 years I might take up a side business of selling hand made cards on Esty. Between now and then though, I've already started planning how I'm going to do next years......

The first of many cards

Soon after this project was started, and long before it was finished I got to head South for a team Christmas party south of Dublin in Gory. Where I got to meet most of the rest of my Serge team. It was a bit odd showing up on someone's doorstep that I'd never met before. Had no idea what they looked like, and honestly could't remember their name. Thankfully I was able to go down with Courtney, a fellow apprentice who's a year ahead of me in the program. 

Courtney and I, on our bus journey to Gory

After a fun weekend in Dublin, it was full swing into Christmas here at Ballykeel for the rest of the month. Between extra visits to older people, school play practices, then the actual plays! December saw the break for the season of Good News Club and Bible study. 

The Ballykeel Primary 4 and 5 Christmas play, at Ballykeel Presbyterian Church (standing room only!)

The youth fellowship got the honors of decorating the church hall, followed by Christmas games and food.

 

The Youth Fellowship at Ballykeel Presbyterian Church

Like the over achiever I am, (or just the American I am), I decided to make Puppy Chow for the last YF of the year. You know, peanut butter and chocolate melted together, mixed with Chex cereal, topped with powered sugar. Super easy to make, amazing tasting!! Had not realized how American it was till it did not fly with the youth, due to a strong dislike to peanut butter. Which was unfortunate because it uses a whole box of the Chex  meaning.... what ever was I going to do with the leftovers?? 

Puppy Chow

Providentially, Marty (the minister) was wanting to go around to all the local shops in Ballykeel, (there's about 9 shops just within a quarter mile of the church) with a wee Christmas note and a box of sweets, just to say "thank you". Having too much Puppy Chow turned into a surprise blessing. I was able to just put a little of the chow in a bag and tie a bow around it and... to-dah! A little Christmas "thank-you". 

The McNeely's have a tradition of going to see the Ballymena Chamber Orchestra Christmas Concert, (it's the only Christmas tradition that's not connected to the church, so they can actually just go, enjoy and leave again). I got to be a part of this tradition this year!

At the Ballymena Chamber Orchestra with Joshua and Martha McNeely

There was also carol singing and then 2 carol services the Sunday before Christmas. The carol singing was probably my favorite! About 20 people from the church came together the week before Christmas, and we went to the shut-ins and the old people home, singing Christmas carols to them. After which we all came back to the church for a wee cup of tea and mince pies. 

Then there was Christmas in Belfast with the Somalians. Which included a traditional Somalian meal (chicken and rice) after the last English class for 2015. And then helping in the disruption of toys for the Somalian/refugee kids (a bit like Toys for Tots in the States). 

The back of my little car literally loaded and ready to bring the hope of Christmas to some refugee families.

As much as I was blessed through all this, it did make me wonder.... what does Christmas mean to a Muslim? Is it just a Western tradition? The tradition of presents, giving gifts is a beautiful picture (reminder) of what God did in giving us Jesus. But if you're not a Christian; then does the tradition of presents just become a worldly, materialistic tradition? As much as I loved being able to bless the Somalian families this Christmas, (forgive me if this sounds wrong)but if we're not actually telling them about Jesus, and the reason we were giving them gifts, then what was the point? 

That said though, at the end of one of the English classes, Luke, one of the teachers, gave a little lesson about Christmas, trying to explain the difference between secular and religious Christmas.... Just trying to explain for them Christmas. In the middle of Luke's story of the nativity, one of the lady's got up and did her prayers. I don't think she was following along with the story of Christmas enough to be offended, it was just time to do her prayers. 

After a crazy day with Somalians, there was the Christmas Market in Belfast that had to be "officially" experienced. (I'd gotten a wiz-through tour before Thanksgiving, so that totally didn't count!)If you're ever in Belfast during the Christmas season, the market is a must do! They totally played up the whole Germany thing, so it's a bit corny. But dude! It's a Christmas Market, it's supposed to be German! And the food... plan on eating while you're there. Or at least getting a coffee. 

The Christmas Market in Belfast, in front of the City Hall 

My friend Laura that made sure I had a proper experience of the market

A couple days before Christmas I got to escape Ballymena for 24 hours and go to Portrush with the McNeely's. Julie took me to see my first movie in Ireland while up there. (Which also happened to be a Christmas movie, win!) 

Martha taught me how to play Narnia while we had a tea party

On the way back to Ballymena the next day, I got distracted by this view,

Dunluce Castle 

so instead of driving distracted, I actually pulled over and had a rare tourist moment. Next stop, Giants Causeway! 

Christmas started Christmas eve. This was the first Christmas Eve in ages that didn't find me going to a Christmas eve service. (But it was the first Christmas that did find me in church on Christmas day!) About 4 o'clock the festivities began with the opening of one of the grandmothers Santa sacks, which in included new Christmas jammies. In honor of new jamies (I was included in this tradition!) showers were next in order. Once everyone was clean and now appropriately attired, we had a pizza dinner and watched a Christmas movie (Santa Clause).

New Christmas jammies and socks, cuddled up with Martha watching the Santa Clause movie

I had heard it rumored that Christmas festivities were starting at 7 Christmas morning, so I set my alarm accordingly. At 7, I didn't hear anything, (which is not normal on a normal day, never mention Christmas!) So I rolled over, and went back to sleep. 2 minutes later Martha comes bursting into my room, telling me it's Christmas, I have to get up! And so commences my first Christmas in Northern Ireland. Shortly before 10 Marty's family came and we went across to church. After which we had mulled wine (no alcohol) and biscuits, then did presents. At about 1 we had dinner, (absolutely beautiful!). This was naturally followed by clean up, after which we all gathered in the living room to watch the Queen's speech. This was followed by a walk (of which I opted out of due to heavy mizzling)and opted instead for a nap on the couch watching Brave. Eventually we all gathered together again for pudding and coffee/tea (again, beautiful!). To wrap up the evening Julie and I watched to Christmas special of Downton Abbey. 

I was really touched by how loving everyone from the church was, as well as the McNeely's extended family was (and the McNeely family themselves!). I received so many gifts and cards! I even received my first care package from a church back home. I've felt so touched and loved by the people here (and at home)!! Thank you everyone that made my first Christmas in Ballymena so wonderful!

Merry Christmas from my Northern Ireland family!
Marty, Joshua (12), Julie, (me) and Martha (8)