It’s Christmas Eve and I cannot help but wonder what some of my refugee friends are doing tonight and what they will be doing tomorrow.  I’m sure they will spend time with their families as they usually do, but most of them probably will not be opening presents and celebrating Christmas.  It’s interesting to me, because my father didn’t allow my family to celebrate Christmas when I was growing up.  That’s a whole other story but it gives me a little of an understanding of what it would be like if I didn’t wake up to celebrate the birth of Jesus tomorrow morning when all the rest of the world around me was busy celebrating. 

There has been a lot of cultural learning around this holiday season for my friends.  It is interesting what some of my friends have shared about what they have heard about Christmas and other holidays that we celebrate in America.  My heart yearns to tell them more about the real reason I want to recognize and celebrate Christmas and so I do.  They seem to be okay with the idea that I love Jesus and seek to follow Him.  Many of my friends who practice Islam question so much about Jesus.  They do not deny that He was a good man and say He was a prophet.  There is much clarity that needs to come to us, but the time may not be yet.  There is much for me to learn.  And, I’m trusting that He will give me the words when the time is right.

Tonight I thank God for Jesus.  I thank Him for sending Him to save me from myself.  I know and trust that He has me right where He wants me with Asha’s Refuge.  I pray I move as He moves and not a step too early or too far behind.  Jesus, hold my friends tonight as they rest in their homes.  Show up in their dreams tonight and let them know that you love them are really right there with them.  Merry Christmas friends.