Today, January 7th: Ethiopian Christmas! The Spirit of Charity: Christmas as It Was Meant to Be Today, January 7th, millions of Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt celebrate Genna, the Ethiopian Christmas. This day marks the birth of Jesus Christ and embodies the sacred essence of Christmas—a celebration of Christ’s birth through acts of kindness. Villagers prepare extra food to deliver to neighbors in need, church communities in cities like Addis Ababa organize food and clothing drives, and homes open their doors to strangers, sharing festive meals with anyone who arrives. These acts of kindness transform Genna into a living expression of Christ’s message of love and humility. Genna calls to the soul, inviting all who witness its beauty to pause and reflect. It challenges us to see Christmas not as a season of consumerism but as a sacred time to serve others, reconnect with faith, and celebrate the light that Christ brings into the world. From the vivid illustrations of the Ge’ez Bible to the monumental devotion carved into Lalibela’s stone churches, Ethiopian Christmas offers a timeless lesson in the power of faith and community. In the 43 days leading up to Christmas, Ethiopian Christians observe the Holy Nativity Fast, abstaining from animal products and dedicating themselves to prayer, reflection, and acts of service. The fast is not just a personal discipline. In Ethiopia, the Bible itself becomes a masterpiece of devotion. Written in Ge’ez, an ancient Semitic language, these Bibles are adorned with vivid, colorful illustrations. Bright reds, golds, and blues leap from the pages, drawing readers into the stories of Christ’s birth, the Nativity, and the lives of biblical figures. These images illuminate divine truths, symbolizing heavenly light and God’s glory. Here, faith and art are inseparable; each page invites worshippers into a vivid reminder of God’s presence. Inside Ethiopian churches, walls adorned with iconography and frescoes tell the stories of the Nativity, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Mary’s gentle embrace of the infant Jesus, angels with radiant wings, and shepherds gazing under a celestial star create an atmosphere of awe and reverence. Pilgrims from across Ethiopia and the world gather in the extraordinary rock-hewn churches. These eleven churches, carved directly into volcanic rock during the 12th and 13th centuries, come alive during Genna, their courtyards and tunnels filled with hymns sung in Ge’ez. The voices of the faithful echo in a timeless harmony of devotion. Lalibela’s 11 churches are more than architectural wonders—they are a “New Jerusalem.” When King Lalibela commissioned their creation, he envisioned a sacred place where Ethiopian Christians could worship when travel to Jerusalem became dangerous. Walking through the courtyards and tunnels carved into the rock, one feels the spiritual atmosphere that permeates the space. The atmosphere during Genna is electric with prayer and joy, a reminder that these churches are not relics of the past but living places of worship. This Christmas, let the Ethiopian tradition of Genna guide you toward the true essence of the season: faith, charity, and the unshakable joy of celebrating Christ’s birth. Genna be’ameselegn—Merry Christmas!
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