Stahlke Adoption

Merry Christmas!

During Holy Week, it's hard to find time for writing blogs. So here's one I wrote a few weeks ago for days like today . . .

Not long ago, a friend asked me to write more about Ukrainian Christmas. As for our own family, we attend the Christmas Eve service at a Ukrainain Orthodox Church on the evening of January 6. Jonathan and I buy small gifts for the children, and we try to eat some traditional Ukrainian foods, although not the typical Ukrainian Christmas meal with 12 (!) courses.
Last month, we didn't fare very well with our Ukrainian Christmas celebration. Jonathan and I were not able to get the correct time for the service, so we guessed at the time based on our memory of previous years. When we arrived at the church, the front doors were locked and the building was dark. The fellowship hall, however, was filled with people attending a fancy banquet, and one of them told me that the service had taken place a few hours earlier. Because January 6 took place this year on a school night, I think the services were held earlier than normal.
We drove around for an hour to check out other Ukrainian churches, but had no luck finding a worship service. All dressed up with nowhere to go! So we finally stopped at a restaurant we like, and the children ate hamburgers and opened their gifts. Since we don't eat out very much, it was still festive for them. And besides, for our kids, the presents are the most important part of the holiday!

posted by Stahlkes @ 2:01 PM