Walking With El Salvador

Happy Epiphany! In El Salvador, celebrations of the Day of the Magi Kings come with fireworks (of course) and processions . Some families, churches, political entities and community groups give gifts to children , in the way that gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were given to the child Jesus. This is especially true during election years. Los Héroes Lutheran Church's Epiphany celebration Today's Sunday morning worship in the Lutheran Church celebrated both the Epiphany (following the twelfth day of Christmas, traditionally celebrated on January 6) and the Baptism of Jesus. Pastor Santiago's message reminded us that Epiphany means manifestation. In the presence of the star, God was made manifest to astrologers from far away lands, who were motivated to leave their homes, travel long and difficult journeys, and bring costly gifts to the Christ child. In baptism, God is made manifest in each one of us, just as God was revealed in the baptism of Jesus. As children of God,...

On the twelfth day of Christmas, all across the globe, Christians celebrate the first day of Epiphany.  Epiphany means revelation.  The story of God revealing little Jesus as the King of Kings to the world outside of land of Bethlehem is recorded in the Bible, in the Book of Matthew.  We are told that magi from the east interpreted the appearance of a new star in the sky as a sign of the birth of a king.  Following the star, the magi eventually end up at a house, where Mary is with the little child Jesus.  The foreign visitors bow down to worship the child and present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Theologians reflect on the meaning of this revelation -Jesus who was born in humble circumstances is identified as the King of the Jews, sent not only for the salvation of the chosen people of Israel, but for all the world beyond. In a mix of theological symbolism and legend, "magi" became three "wise men" named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, who...

About two weeks ago, I walked into Dollar City to pick up some paint for a church project.  It was All Souls Day - the day on which Salvadoran families remember their beloved ones who have died.  I was caught off guard by the sound of organ music filling the air.  Within a moment, I turned to my husband and asked, "Is that Christmas music?" Creepy Halloween appendages give way to boxes of blue, red and silver ornaments in Aisle 1 at Dollar City on All Souls Day Beyond the orange, black and purple remnants of Halloween in Aisle 1, Dollar City had been converted to Christmas Town.  Salvadorans do have a love of Christmas chachkies - especially snowmen.  I asked a pastor friend today if El Salvador has a different tradition than Santa Claus (we happened to be grocery shopping together and paused to check out a row of Christmas stuff).  "Oh no," he said, "we have always had the tradition of the Santa of the United States.  It wouldn't make sense to ha...

Just a few images from early in the Christmas season, when the focus was clearly a bit more on the shopping and a bit less on the Savior... Feliz Navidad! Santa Claus even made it to the altar!

The country was occupied.  Soldiers marched in the streets.  The occupying government ordered the people to report to officials in their home towns.  María and José had no choice.  They had to go.  It didn't matter that they were poor.  It didn't matter that María was pregnant.  The expectant couple  packed up a few belongings for the journey, and they went.  Lots of people were on the move.  When they were close to their destination, Maria went into labor.  José frantically searched for a room.  He knocked on doors.  No one wanted to let him in.  He was an outsider.  His accent was different.  He was dirty from traveling.  Finally a kind person gave welcome, and guided María and José to an animal stall.  Was there time to find a midwife?  Maybe José and María were on their own. The baby boy was born and José named Jesús.  There was no crib.  José made a little bed of hay in the ...