Vesel Božič! Merry Christmas!
As we draw nearer to Christmas, the end of 2015, and the official beginning of our family becoming missionaries, I thought I would take a closer look at what Christmas looks like in the country we soon hope to call home - Slovenia.
Slovenia is traditionally Catholic, however 22.8% of the population claim no religious ties, and 10% claim to be atheists.
And yet, according to all the articles I could find, Christmas is a time of "church, music and food". Because Catholicism is such a part of the tradition that surrounds Christmas and this time of year, it is a perfect time to shine the light of Jesus Christ. Like many countries in Eastern Europe, it is not Santa who brings children gifts on Christmas, but rather baby Jesus. Families erect nativity scenes in the corner of the house. Churches are lit. Christmas markets have handmade goods to sell - many surrounding the birth of Christ.
According to one article I found, Slovenia is one of the last places you find, where the hustle and bustle often associated with the Western mentality of Christmas. It seems that there is much more focused on family, and quiet contemplation.
The perfect setting for a message of hope and love.
Christ came to shine into the darkest places of our souls. To bring a sense of hope, when there doesn't seem to be a future. Joy, where all laughter seems to have been lost.
Pray with us, that this holiday season, while singing songs about a baby born in a manger, while gazing at a beautiful nativity, the heart of the people of Slovenia would be moved towards He who came to Earth as the lowliest, to save us from our lowest.
And so, vesel Božič from our family to yours!
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