November 27, 2009 
Greetings from Muchila where it seems everyone is busy with plowing fields and planting maize. The rains have started after several months of dry season and plows pulled by oxen are everywhere. Although not as obvious, preparation for Christmas has also begun.
Christmas in Muchila includes a special morning meal of bread and tea, followed by church services, people getting together for an afternoon meal of a recently slaughtered goat, pig, or chicken and community dancing and signing into the evening and night.
The Holiday requires the rehearsing of the village small dancing girls, youth and adult choirs, and instrumentalists. Since bread is rarely eaten and very expensive this is planned for in advance as well as the availability of a goat, pig, or chicken. In this remote area not every church has a minister or priest. Local church leaders will prepare the church services and coordinate the music and dancing which is an important part of the Christmas celebration. Also this is the time for baptisms, holy communion, and marriages as most sacraments are planned around this time.
Christmas is much simpler in Muchila than in many parts of the United States, but it is the biggest holiday season for family and friends and is cherished by the community. –written by Dr. John Morgan, Options for Children of Zambia
