Jesusluvsall's Blog

I love spending time with my friends from other countries during the Christmas holiday. When I do, it always makes me think about what Jesus said in John 3:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

One group I always have fun with are my Brazilian friends.

In July 2013 I met Jose who was in my city for research for his doctoral program in Brazil. We had a lot of fun hanging out together the six months he was here. His wife Giselle came for Christmas and New Year that winter.

In August 2013 I met some Brazilian students who were in my city for a program called- Ciencias Sem Fronteiras- Scientists Without Borders. The program paid for undergraduates to study for one year in science or technology.

Christmas Eve that year it was a blessing to bring four of my Brazilian friends with me for Christmas Eve service at my church. Singing Joy to the World in the service takes on a whole new meaning when one is with friends from another country.

We had snow on the ground that year. In Brazil they do not have snow at Christmas because it is summertime there, so a song like Dreaming of a White Christmas has no meaning to them unless it is to go to the beach.

We had fun going to the Christmas Eve service together. My friends enjoyed the experience. We laughed a lot in the van on the way to the service and after the service. Reaching out to others can be fun and fulfilling and reaching out to others as part of celebrating the birth of Jesus is especially meaningful.

My hope is sharing today is that maybe it can spur someone else on to reach out to somebody this year as you celebrate Christmas.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.