Dear Friends,

Every year we age the time seems to go faster, and it’s Christmas once again. We are enjoying a hot and rainy summer here, while hearing reports of record snowfalls and storms in other places—perhaps where you are. To give you a window on our celebration, we offer the following poem—a happy and blessed Christmas to all, filled with the peace of the One who comes.

Mark, Cynthia, Joseph, Paul and Ella

"Twas the night before Christmas in Madagascar—
(If you’re coming from America, that’s really quite far)
And resounding through the house, both vermin and insect—
OK, it’s summer in the tropics, so what did you expect?!?
But there are other sounds too that are close to the ear
That the sensitive person can, with not much effort, hear.
The children of the local church have prepared for weeks and weeks,
And now their Christmas pageant with drama the sanctuary shakes.
Herod is the villain of this dramatic escapade,
And Jesus gets the limelight as his escape from death is made.
The service at the church will go on till 3 or 4,
And they won’t stop singing carols while they can still find just one more.
And many, when taking their leave of the chapel full and fair,
Just keep on singing carols, sweet notes hanging on the air.
No Santa Claus or Père Noel will visit here tonight for most
This day is not about presents to the Malagasy, but they will boast
Of holiday visits (very important) made and received from friends,
And perhaps, if they’re blessed, chicken with their rice, and
festive speeches that go on without end.
For us, however, the present-opening looks like it will be unending,
As we peer at gifts that friends and family and wonderful churches keep sending.
The children are all sleeping, dreaming of joy and laughter
We’ll share at the beach, where we’ll go at Christmas, just after.
I sit and watch a tape of some old Christmas concert
‘Twas taped last year, but still new to us, so we happily insert
And enjoy familiar music, and I shed a tear or two,
Longing to be with folks far away, in colder climates too;
But I get a comforting hug and kiss from my one and only true love
And assurance that God’s mercy shines down on us from above.
There’s heavenly peace at the Rich house on Christmas here in Madagascar
Hoping the same is true for you, wherever you and those you love are.

Cynthia Holder Rich