Ethiopian Christmas: Melkam Genna

January 7th is Ethiopian Christmas. This year we celebrated a day later with a terrific feast prepared by Jimmy with some great friends. I am no expert on the history or celebration of Ethiopian Christmas but here are a few tidbits:

- Christmas is a major holiday in Ethiopia where more than half of the population is Orthodox Christian - The celebrations occur January 7, the Feast of the Epiphany, instead of December 25
- Christmas in Ethiopia is called 'Genna'
- To say "Merry Christmas" in Ethiopia you would say, "Melkam Genna"
- For more information click herehttp://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga4.htm

Our menu included Beef Tibs, Dora Wat, Shiro Wat, Injera (we did buy the Injera) and Tej. All of these were first recipes for Jimmy except for the Dora Wat and all were DELICIOUS!

Friends we have made from our church were here to help celebrate. We had 11 adults and 11 children- it was crazy, in a great fun way. We are so blessed to have these folks in our lives!

Sarah Bess set and decorated the table by herself and came up with this idea- a crystal glass that was my grandmothers, with almonds at the bottom and leaves cut from the yard. I was pretty impressed!

This picture is actually from today but had to add it. Gabre's hair is finally long enough to put in some little 'puffs'. OK- so it's not quite long enough, but I still thought it was cute. Jimmy thinks I made her look like she has horns, but SB is voting with me on the cuteness! Davis, just laughed.