On December 24th, Christmas Eve we went to Shepherd’s field to have a beautiful mass with the brothers of Sion, Contemplatives and apostolic Sisters and volunteers from Ein Karem and Ecce Homo. Fr. Carlos, NDS celebrated the mass. It was a beautiful celebration and we asked for peace in the world and that Jesus fill our hearts with joy, love and hope.

After that, we went to have a delicious dinner to wait for the mass at midnight in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. We prayed for our families, the congregation and the world and really thanked God for our lives and this wonderful experience to be there and felt the spirit of Christmas in our hearts.

Next day, we had mass at 10:30 in the morning with the whole community of sisters and brothers of Jerusalem and after we had a delicious lunch. When we finished lunch, we sang some Christmas songs in different languages.

“How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of the messenger announcing peace, of the messenger of good news, who proclaims salvation and says to Zion, ‘Your God is king!’” (Isaiah 52,7)

Later on, we went to mass at the Kehila. After some children did some lovely dramatizations about Mary and Joseph and they sang some Christmas songs. Also, we sang some Christmas songs in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Bahasa Indonesia. We really enjoyed being with them and spreading the joy of this Christmas spirit.

On December 26th, we had our Christmas dinner with delicious turkey, rice and vegetables. We also had a special prayer and received our gifts from our secret friend. Then we sang and danced some Christmas songs.

“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth.” (Luke 1, 14)

Andrea Chacón, Novice NDS
St. John in Montana Community Ein Karem