Sharing Christmas traditions

Dear Family and Friends,
I feel the holidays are a wonderful time to share American culture with my community. Yesterday I hosted a small dinner party for my friends. Thanks to items sent in care packages, I was able to make fudge. After dinner I introduced them to the White Elephant gift exchange game. It took a little time to explain the game, but once they understood, they were excited to “steal” gifts away from one another. Some items included small dessert bowls, Christmas candy, and photo album. Today a neighbor girl helped me make Christmas trees using pinecones, glitter, and ribbon.
The church choir has enjoyed caroling again this year and they’ve asked me to sing a Christmas Carol in English at the Christmas Eve service. I heard them practicing for the concert and they were singing Feliz Navidad in Malagasy. I think it’s fun to learn various Christmas carols in Malagasy. Below is the first verse to “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” in Malagasy. I finally got a copy of the song on my I-pod which helped me learn the words.
There was a Christmas concert last Saturday which was very entertaining as they had kids dressed up as a shepherd, angel, butterfly, and Santa dancing in front of the choir. I have to find entertainment where I can as I am sure I provide lots of entertainment to my neighbors while fetching water, shopping at the market, riding on my bike, ect. During the concert they also had a raffle fundraiser for the building of an addition to the church. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen ducks, geese, and cows as raffle prizes in addition to stuffed animals and hairdryers.
Merry Christmas,
Teena

“Oh Come All Ye Faithful”
Avia, ry mino!
Hifaly sy hihoby,
Avia, avia hankany Bethlehema;
Teraka Jeso,
Tompon'ny anjely
Avia hitsaoka Azy(X3)
Izay Tomponao!