Letters from Cyprus: Καλό Χριστούγεννα (Happy Christmas)

Nativity scene outside our local video store

It's two days before Christmas and the weather has turned cold again. Some fresh snow on the Troodos mountains today, and everyone is rugged up again after some warmer weather over the last week. Church bells are ringing across city this evening as people head home for the Christmas weekend. Tonight we went out to the old town for dinner and a walk. We've enjoyed the festive atmosphere in Nicosia at this time of year, and also the fact that the lead up to Christmas hasn't been too busy.

Cypriots don't recognise St Nicholas as Santa Claus, but rather Saint Basil, or Agios Vasilis. Interesting to hear how this translates for some of the kids....just think 'Santa Claus is coming to town', but replace 'Santa Claus' for 'Saint Basil', and you get the general idea! The bigger holiday here is actually New Years Day.

The city is full of lights and signs that say ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ, which is a new year's greeting. The kids have had their various Christmas concerts over the last few weeks. Sam put in a solid performance as Joseph last week in his pre-school show, including his one line of 'we are hungry, will you let us in'. Delivered with good timing and poise, and a significant step forward in his from his single line in a church nativity play last year which consisted of one word 'GOLD' (he was one of the wise men). Small but no doubt significant steps in his thesbian career.....

A homily and blessing for the gymnastics concert??

Last night Jessie had a gymnastics concert. We were somewhat bemused to arrive on time, all kids and parents were ready, but the show didn't start. 10mins late, 20 mins late, half and hour, and still waiting...... We're getting used to things working on Cypriot time (siga siga, or slowly slowly), but this was a little out of the normal. Various announcements were made in Greek (which we couldn't understand), and it wasn't until the arrival of an official delegation from the Greek Orthodox Church that we realised the reason for the delay. The Patriarch was ushered to the front in full robes, staff and regalia, whereupon he delivered a fairly long winded homily in Greek which we can only assume was some sort of blessing for the gymnastics show (as one typically does). Perhaps preaching about the benefits of exercise for children, or praying for no injuries during the cartwheels and somersaults??? This was then followed by various speeches from other members of the delegation before the show finally got underway. Suffice to say it was a good show and worth the wait, and we're pleased to say injury free for all the participating children. The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways!

May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with you and your family this Christmas.

Καλό Χριστούγεννα! love Ross, Sarah, Jessie, Angus, Sam and Anna