Friday, December 26, 2008

Melkm Ganna!

As we await bringing a little one into our family, we try to consider more and more what that will look like and how we can incorporate more cultural aspects into our family. We were reading a book that specifically described each of the cultural traditions practiced by different countries surrounding Christmas and of course were very interested in the celebrations found within Ethiopia. Below is a summary of what we found.

In the Ethiopian Coptic church, Ganna, or Christmas, is celebrated on January 7th. The celebration takes place in Ethiopia's ancient rectangular churches carved, over 800 years ago, from solid volcanic rock. Men and boys sit separately from girls and women. The choir sings from outside the circle. The second circle, or holy place, is for the congregation. Holy Communion is served in the innermost circle, the sanctuary. Following a day of fasting, everyone attending the early-morning mass wears white. People receive candles as they enter the church. After lighting the candles everyone walks around the church three times.
Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration call Timkate, which commemorates the baptism of Christ. the children walk to church services in a procession. They wear the crowns and robes of the church youth groups they belong to. The grown-ups wear the shamma. The priests will now wear their read and white robes and carry embroidered fringed umbrellas.
Christmas food in Ethiopia usually includes injera, a sourdough pancake like bread that can be easily cooked over an open fire. Injera serves as both plate and fork.
Ganna and Timkat are not occasions for giving gifts in Ethiopia. If a child receives any gift at all, it is usually a small gift of clothing. Religious observances, feasting, and games are the focus of the season.
Melkm Ganna, or Good Christmas!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Books for Babies


As previously mentioned, we are very blessed to have others join us in our journey to bring home a child from Ethiopia.
Our downstairs neighbors and their dear friend Mark set out on a journey of their own to help with some of the financial aspects of our adoption. They have put in many long hours to prep and create the handmade journals that you will see below. Each journal is not only an artistic creation reflecting their abilities, but an act of service to our family as well. Once the journals were created and finished they didn't stop there. They contacted a local gallery here in town and shared with the owner their desire to sell the journals raising money for our adoption. The owner of the gallery graciously offered her business, Keag Gallery, as an avenue to sell the journals and is asking for nothing in return. We are so humbled by the actions of others and continue to search for words to honor their acts of kindness.

Some examples of the handmade journals created by Mark and Mike.
The journals on display in the Keag Gallery.

If you or someone you know are interested in purchasing a journal and contributing to our journey please contact us.