Christmas In Laos

Christmas in Laos is a special time of year.  With this being my fourth Christmas in Laos, there are definitely traditions that have been established.

The WIG (Women’s International Group) Bizarre marks the first signs that Christmas is fast approaching.  Handicraft booths, entertainment and wonderful treats from many different countries around the world make the WIG Bizarre an enjoyable place to spend a Saturday in the middle of November. 

Then come the preparations for the various musical events throughout the season.  This year I was pianist for our church’s “choir”.

The second week in December we hosted “Carols By Candlelight” at the International School.  Celebrated in the Aussie way, everyone brings a picnic supper and enjoys singing carols by candlelight.

Choir Rehearsing

On Saturday of that week, the International Church group was invited to the American Ambassador’s residence for carols and cookies.

CHS Family

The next day, we had a combined church service in the afternoon with the morning group and the evening fellowship and so it provided a perfect opportunity to enjoy a trip to Nang Seaum Restaurant with co-workers.

Lunch at Nang Seaum

At the combined Christmas service I played the piano for our choir.

Choir

The week before Christmas there were various Christmas celebrations with friends.  On Christmas Eve day I hosted a Christmas Open House for the MCC team and their families.  The highlight was decorating sugar cookies to take home to their families.  Grandma Brubacher’s wedding cookie recipe is still enjoyed by all!

Beautiful Cookies

Christmas Eve I attended Catholic Mass with my Lao host family.  The mass began with a processional into the church.  Following the mass, at about 10:00 p.m., the youth performed a Christmas Concert in the church court yard.  Each ethnic group performed a traditional dance, along with various dramas, including a re-enactment of the Christmas story.

Processional

Christmas Day began with the service at the International Church followed by a potluck “traditional” Christmas meal at the home of one of the church members.  Following the meal, we enjoyed a “White Elephant” gift exchange.  I’m now the owner of an American t-shirt!

Christmas Dinner

"Boxing Day" (December 26) led to an outing at Nam Ngum Lake with friends from Madagascar, Benin, Guinea and England.  Nam Ngum Lake is the largest artificial lake in Laos, that was created after a hydro electric dam was built in 1971 on the Nam Ngum River.  Today the highest peaks are now islands and make great picnic locations.

Group Photo on Thalat Tower

And the final Christmas celebration for 2011 was with my host family on December 27th.  They invited the Catholic youth to come and carol at their home and in return hosted them for the evening meal.  

May you be blessed in 2012.