Charis House Christmas

CHRISTMAS!!! The Christmas season puts so many people in such jolly moods! There was tree decorating and multiple school nativity plays Charis House children were in. It was interesting to be a part of a charity during Christmas. People are so generous and the community surrounding Charis House gave so much to the women and children in donations both financially and with really nice Christmas gifts.

Christmas Eve was a night filled with reunions. Many old residents come back to the house on Christmas eve to share in a meal, exchange cards, participate in a Christingle service, and even see St. Nick. The Christingle service was lead by one of the staff and aimed at all the children that were there. It is a tradition to place a candle in an orange and tie a red ribbon around the orange. The children then used tooth picks to put the fruits of the spirit on (in gummy form) and stick them
around the candle in the orange. The orange represents the earth and the candle is the light Jesus brings to us. I'll have to say I was a bit nervous trying to help around 15 small children light candles whose bases where not flat and also had toothpicks poking out from all directions. But, there no one was injured and the House didn't burn down. With the lights turned out and only the candles lit, Charis House children, new and old residents, and staff joined in singing "This Little Light of Mine" and it was simply beautiful.

The peacefulness did not last long because shortly after, Father Christmas came with presents for all. I had spent a good bit of time in weeks before sorting various Christmas donations and then wrapping them. This was a very jolly job and wonderful to watch as Father Christmas handed out all the gifts to wide-eyed children (and adults).

Christmas Day was a slightly more stressful event. I really enjoyed being at the House for Christmas, but it was much different than the usual family-filled and comfortable Christmases I am used to. One staff member was cooking the Christmas dinner for about 20 people. That's a LOT of roast potatoes and turkey! The decorations looked beautiful and sitting down with people of all sorts brought together for one dinner added even more color. For me, its hard to imagine a family not sitting for a meal at Christmas, but for the resident and her son sitting across from me, it was their first true Christmas dinner. It was a delightful time, but it was work. The house is filled with a lot of women that have a lot of needs, especially over holidays where there is emphasis on family or even for some, a heightened temptation to drink. There was the usual Charis House craziness in preparation, but also as usual, God just put things in place and we all were able to sit and talk and laugh for an afternoon. The menu was delicious and fancy! We had a starter a main meal, AND Christmas pudding.

So much energy is brought to the house when old residents come back. They share such stories and many of them are very thankful for the time they spent here. Among the old residents was Sioma and Jurmriah. Jurmriah has grown so big! Sioma is doing very well and is now living on her own. It's wonderful to see God give a family to those whose feel they need one. For one whose own family is a bit far away this year, spending the Christmas season among those who feel that Charis House is their only family was a memorable and pleasant time.