When you have a big family like I do—and by that, I mean a total of 19 siblings, not to mention their kids and partners—one day of Christmas is never enough to catch up. We literally need two weeks! 🕒

Talking to my siblings always brings back a flood of funny and emotional memories 😄❤️.

There we were, in Western Kenya. We didn’t have much to eat, but Christmas was still Christmas, whether or not you believed in the Jesus who was supposedly born on this day ✨.

Our church didn’t do anything special for Christmas, but for one night a year, we were all Catholics. The Catholics in Homa Bay put together a fantastic stage play on December 24th 🎭✨. The rest of the year, we kept our distance. But on this one day, the magic of Christmas brought us together 🌟.

Even as a child, I found myself wondering: How could we talk about one God and yet show so little respect for other religions? 🤔

Fortunately, the Catholics welcomed everyone to join in the magic, and that inclusivity stayed with me 🌍❤️.

Back at home, Christmas day was all about new clothes 👗🎀. We’d get beautiful outfits just for the occasion. As kids, we were so enamored with our Christmas attire that we’d try to save them for the next Christmas, conveniently forgetting they wouldn’t fit us by then 😄👚.

The Christmas tree tradition also fascinated us 🎄✨. We never questioned its origin; we just embraced it. Of course, we didn’t have the typical European-style Christmas tree or the shiny modern Christmas balls. Instead, we improvised. Air balloons, flowers, colorful ribbons, and the Christmas cards we received became our decorations 🎈🌸🎀📬. The process of creating and decorating was as magical as the result. ✨

Today, I find myself questioning many aspects of the one-sided story of Christmas—one face, one way.

Yet, despite my questions, I still find the magic in it. 🕊️ It’s in the precious time we share as a family, the laughter, and the memories we revisit when I call my siblings scattered across the globe 🌍📞❤️.

What about you? 🤔

How did you perceive Christmas when you were young?
What do you do differently today? 🎄