Christmas Card From Africa

This is the sun, not the moon, during this the Harmattan season.

 Christmas in Ghana

(Changed from Christmas in Arizona)

-Anonymous

The visitor sadly shook his head

As he basked in the warmth of the sun;

"Call this Christmas?" to us he said,

"Well not where I come from!"

"Christmas needs snow and ice and cold,

And the sound of the sleigh bells ring;

And so for me, I can't be sold

On this winter that feels like spring."

We looked at him and then we smiled

As he scoffed aloud at our "plight";

And we felt pity and were not riled

Because he was so far from right.

For no snow fell on Bethlehem

On the night the star first shown,

There was no blizzard or howling gale,

That swept with a shriek and a moan.

The breeze was soft, and what is more,

The night the Christ child came

Hibiscus bloomed near the stable door,

As Mary murmured his name.

Bougainvillea of violet hue

Arched in a graceful bower;
Poinsettias, wet with midnight dew

Enhanced the sacred hour.

The heavenly host in the starry sky,

Proclaimed the birth of the King;

And rustling palms echoed the cry

As the whole earth seemed to sing.

So we find here, in our sun drenched land,

Never touched by ice and snow,

That the spirit of Christmas is near at hand

And we feel God willed it so.

 Nativity at the Accra Temple grounds. Landscaping filled with cocoa bark.  Smells like hot chocolate!

 Beautiful close up of Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child.

 Hand carved African Nativity.

 The Christmas tree Elder Lyon wanted to chop down.  He couldn't find an ax.  Plus it might be just a little too big for our home.

 So we decorated for Christmas with this sweet little tree instead.

Things we have seen in Africa that remind us of Christmas:

 A little lamb like may have been in the stable.

 Flying the Christmas Colors.

 Red peppers drying in the sun.

 Red blossom on the temple grounds.

More tropical African plants bearing their Christmas glory.

Flames from the annual bush burning during harmattan. 

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ...

The Ten Commandments of Christmas

by Debra Oaks Coe

1. Thou shalt not put any other holiday traditions or celebrations (not even Santa Claus) above the celebration of our Savior's birth and the deep meaning of His life, teachings, and sacrifices.

2. Thou shalt look at thy life and make at least one positive change as your gift to the Savior at His birthday celebration.

3. Thou shalt have many traditions, especially those types of traditions that remind you of the Savior, give service to others, and bring your family closer together.

4. Thou shalt remember those who are alone and help them to have a "Merry Christmas" also.

5.  Thou shalt give gifts of worth and not merely add to another's collection of clutter simply for the sake of "giving a gift". Give of yourself which is the way the Savior gave.

6.  Thou shalt value the effort and thought put into gifts received.  Just as with the widow's mite, it is the meaning that gives a gift value not the dollar amount paid.

7.  Thou shalt give no gift grudgingly or because you have to.  This does not mean to not give the gift to someone, but to work until you have changed your own attitude.

8.  Thou shalt not become so busy that you don't have time to really enjoy the season.

9.  Thou shalt remember that of all the beautiful and expensive gifts, what children want and need most is honor, respect, love, and your time.

10.  Above all, Thou shalt find a way to keep the spirit of the Christmas season and of giving all through the year.

We wish you all the very best, Christmas ever!  Filled with the love the Savior has for each of you.We love you and miss you all!

MERRY CHRISTMAS with love,

Elder and Sister Lyon