Another best memory of Christmas at the village.

Who doesn't like the presence of the "ember" months? I do, and it makes me feel grateful to see how far the year is almost going to an end. The favourite part of the year we always look forward to is December because it's when families come together from far and near to celebrate and rejoice with each other. December is always the time to reunite after being separated from our different locations and at the end of the year, we gather to merry and share different happenings of our lives. It's always fun and memorable and by the time the festival has ended, we feel emotional as we see each other departing again because who knows when we will meet again unless there is an event that may bring us together again in the year.

Ever since I was young and growing up, the only interesting part I enjoy so much is the church service conducted on the eve of Christmas and New Year. Preferably, I love the eve of the New Year because it is always sweeter than that of Christmas, but for the sake of this edition, I will be dwelling only on Christmas memories. Christmas is a time of joy, love and sharing among ourselves. A day to Christmas which is on the 24th of December is always something I look forward to at my family church. We attend Evangelical Church Winning All (Ecwa) at home. This is the church I have known and grew up to love their service at home because we always travel home just to be a part of their service.

Ecwa has a different way of conducting their eve's service which is always amazing and one I wouldn't want to always miss. One of my best memories was two years ago, we got home, saw everyone and we were so happy to see ourselves. I and my siblings planned to render a special number in the evening of the eve service which was an appreciative song to show our gratitude to God. There was a brother who is now part of our family but a friend to one of my uncles, his parents are well-known in our family who also came home, and we collaborated to sing together. We rehearsed the song "Mighty God" by Joe Praize and did the perfection of it while anticipating the evening to come fast. We told our younger brother who was in charge of collecting lists of those presenting songs that night and had our names registered. A few hours later, we got to church, we had a praise and worship session and after that, the programme started.

The programmes included calling out the elders who were called to recite Bible verses which they have been studying from January to December. Five elders, both men and women were called to recite at least 10 verses each, two winners were given different prizes; Bible, pen, book, and a new Sunday School manual. The elders tried their best in funny manners which everyone laughed at so hard. There was a drama session where some youths and children performed. Then, those with songs ministration came out including I and my group we rehearsed together with. Another session was when the pastor called all youth from age 20 upward and prayed for us, then the younger ones too. The last part was calling each family out for Thanksgiving and all rejoiced and moved forward to the altar while others dropped offerings on their behalf as the pastor blessed us all.

By the time all of these were completed, we were already on the 25th of December where we greeted each other happy Christmas with shaking hands together. When service ended, we all moved out and met with our friends from the village where everyone started gisting while walking home as we planned for the next big day which was on the 31st to cross over to a new year. Then, we went to our respective homes to sleep for some hours, and when morning came, we got prepared for service in the church as our mothers and aunts prepared different kinds of food to be served when we returned from church.

Grandma had the routine of serving all women in the village which she did, both Muslims and Christians. Food and drinks were in surplus during that time as our aunts had sent home food and drinks to celebrate with for Grandma, two big cows were sent too to grace the two festivals (Christmas and New Year). It was another amazing memory I wouldn't want to forget because we had fun. Grandma was so happy to have us around her again.

I hope both seasons will be fun this year as Mama who used to bring us together has died, hoping for the best because I wouldn't let such a moment end like that.

Thanks for your time on my blog.