Finally, the festive holiday season has arrived in Jamaica. Continue reading “A Christmas Gift”
A Christmas Gift
Tag: Christmas
Christmas in the Caribbean
It was not until I was asked to put together decorations for a Jamaican Christmas choral service at school, that I realized how much of the American Christmas celebration is really just about winter:
Snowflakes.
Snowmen.
Evergreen trees.
Holly.
These were some of my first ideas for decorations. But none of them translate to the Jamaican context. Sure, Jamaicans are accustomed to these images being imported into their Christmas. But they really don’t make sense in a place that will never experience winter as we know it. Continue reading “Christmas in the Caribbean”
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Peace Corps DIY Ingenuity- Part 2
The following photos were collected from current Peace Corps Volunteers around the island to share how they’ve gotten into the Jamaican spirit of resourcefulness and ingenuity. See the first set of crafty, make-shift items by Volunteers in the original post: Do It Yourself: Peace Corps DIY Ingenuity
Truly Trash to Treasure: Courtney (recently finished service) and Brandi
Bookshelf, purse, and table: Brandi sent in three photos, two of which were made by her former site-mate, Courtney. “Scandal bags cut into string and crocheted together into a purse by Courtney. A bookshelf made from cardboard, tape, and a Jamaica travel magazine.” Brandi says: “She was always much craftier than me. This one was so valuable to me that I carted it in a mini bus from her site to mine after she left.” And lastly, by Brandi herself: “My antique end tables made from my (full) PC issued water buckets and covered in fabric.” Continue reading “Peace Corps DIY Ingenuity- Part 2”
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Advent Project: Part Four
Angels and (Illegal) Aliens
In the Christmas story, several angels are mentioned. Rather than spend much time on the character of angels, I though it would be more interesting to talk about one of their messages. One of the angels essentially tells Joseph to lead his family into becoming illegal immigrants. Doing a Bible search for the word “alien” or “immigrant” (depending on the translation), you’ll find that this was a surprisingly frequent topic Continue reading “Advent Project: Part Four”
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Advent Project- Part One
In some ways, I don’t have a lot of hope for humanity. People are inherently good, but we also just can’t seem to get ourselves out of trouble- and I mean that on multiple, multiple levels. Living in a developing country, especially one with cultural roots that cannot be un-entwined from the effects of slavery, only convinces me more that all human beings struggle with some unalterable defect in our nature. Every last one of us. Including me, of course. Our issues are deep and far-reaching.
But before you assume that this post is going to be a big downer or that I’m hopelessly depressed and negative, hear me out. I do have hope. I just don’t think we as people can fix all our messes on our own. My hope lies in something greater.
That’s why Continue reading “Advent Project- Part One”
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Advent Conspiracy
As Christmas approaches, we want to share these videos from adventconspiracy.org, which played an important role in changing our perspective on Christmas giving. It’s about spending less but giving MORE. More relationally, more meaningfully, more intentionally. Here’s what Advent Conspiracy says:
“The story of Christ’s birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.
So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.
And when it’s all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?
What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?
Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.”
“Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving. Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right? Need a few ideas? Just click here and see what others have done to give more during the advent season.”
Simply Intentional 