The first Sunday in Advent doesn't really seem like the lead up to Christmas. We worshiped at the Iringa Christian Fellowship. This is a small congregation that meets in the original 1920's Anglican Church. Carrie provided the sermon and we sang songs out of a hymnal that has the words to 2,200 songs. But we didn't sing any Christmas songs! Oh well, maybe next time. The few decorations that are up at Neema Craft Center next door are the only indications of Christmas.
Later in the afternoon we joined the same group of immigrants and had an Advent Craft afternoon. Dale and Tobie made a mobile.
Sharon, Annica and Carrie made little stars woven out of paper strips. This turned out to be a very challenging undertaking: the instructions were in Danish and the instructor sort of knew how to do it. We had great fun and some wonderful Christmas cookies and tea. Singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" just didn't seem appropriate to 80 degrees and bright sunshine.
In the evening we joined in another Stiles tradition. Caleb, Annica and Tobie created a little manger scene with duct tape and toilet paper rolls. We have sheep, wise men, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and a real duct tape manger. Each night we move all of the little participants around the apartment since they are all on their way to Bethlehem. Eventually, they will all make it to the stable in the living room, but for now we have to remember where we put our animal/person and move them daily. My sheep is on top of the bulletin board in the hall. I put him in an obvious place so that I won't forget.
Our challenge for this week is the light in the kitchen. It went out during dishes and now we have to get the bulb out and buy a new 4' florescent bulb and get it back to the apartment without breaking. Wish us luck.
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