For the second year in a row, I got to celebrate Orthodox Christmas this year with some Ukrainian friends. Last year, a friend invited me to attend her annual house party. Actually it turns out to be more like an open house.
This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with friends and aquaintences, most of which I don't get to see except on rare occasions. There are always some new faces, and the menu is very festive, and very traditional. After we have a cup of borshch (beet soup), the next course is an assortment of salads, fish and a roast of ham ... oh and never forget the varenyky (peroghi) which are always served with butter and onions. Top this off with a desert which must include kutja, a traditional Christmas mixture of wheat, poppy seed and honey served cold.
Celebrating Christmas with other cultures opens our eyes to the rich variety of experiences that are all around us. It also gives the curious mind another avenue for growth as we dare to expand the horizons of our normal routines, and celebrate with others who are perhaps just around the corner. Who knows what lessons we can learn about each other if only we would open our eyes, hearts and minds to walk in the shoes of those who are our neighbours.
Christ is Born. Merry Christmas.
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