Episode 55
#55. Celebrating Christmas as a Religious Minority in Djibouti
Rachel Pieh Jones discusses four common questions about Christmas from Muslims in her community and she offers ways American Christian families can grow closer to Jesus by learning from the global Christian community.
Rachel offers tips for families about how to make new Christmas traditions, all while she sheds light on her family's experiences celebrating Christmas where Christians make up less than 1% of the country, Djibouti.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- Four Questions that Muslims and Other Non-Christians May Have about Christmas
- About Finding Commonality in What the Quran Says concerning the Birth of Jesus
- Tips for Families Creating New Traditions and Celebrating Christmas on the Move, Abroad or at Home
BONUS CONTENT:
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Rachel Pieh Jones writes about life at the crossroads of faith and culture. Her work is influenced by living as a foreigner in the Horn of Africa, raising three Third Culture Kids, and adventurous exploration of the natural world. She has written for the New York Times, Runners World, Deadspin, the Big Roundtable, and more. They moved to the Horn of Africa for her husband to work at local universities and help to develop courses and programs. Currently they direct an international school.
Rachel is the author of Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus.
SCRIPTURE RELATED TO EPISODE:
- Isaiah 7: 14 and Matthew 1: 23; God is with Us, Immanuel
- John 3: 9-14, God’s Word Dwell among Humans
- Hebrews 1: 1-3; Jesus Is the Exact Representation of God's Being
LINKS:
TIMESTAMPED SHOWNOTES:
01:02 - Topic: Christians and Muslims Together at Christmastime
02:07 - Family, Faith and Culture
03:13 - Christmastime Trends in Djibouti
04:35 - Church on Christmas Eve
04:58 - Armed Soldiers outside Church Services
06:25 - Personal Christmas Traditions
07:20 - How Do Some Muslims See Christmas and Cultural Symbols
08:47 - Questions that Muslims May Have about Christmas
09:26 - 1. Worshiping Trees?
09:33 - 2. Jesus Dressed Up as a Jolly Man with a White Beard?
10:01 - 3. Why Isn't Jesus' Birth Celebrated Like Other Prophets in the Quran?
11:11 - Why Does Jesus' Birth Matter?
13:34 - Jesus' Birth in the Quran and the Bible
14:50 - Asking Questions and Being Curious about Similarities
15:30 - 4. How Was the Son of God Conceived?
16:31 - For Christian Families in America: Lessons from Abroad
16:50 - The Importance of Humility, Curiosity and Delight
17:32 - Learning from Christmas Traditions around the World
18:47 - Inviting International Friends for Christmas
19:18 - For Missionary Families: Tips for Celebrating Christmas on the Move
22:34 - Jesus through Middle-Eastern Eyes
23:56 - Contacting Rachel Pieh Jones on Twitter
24:37 - Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha: Five Djibouti Jokes
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