Interesting...

I find it very interesting!  Albania is a country of 57% Muslim, 16% Catholic/Orthodox, and .14% other Christians. It wasn't that long ago that this nation declared itself to be "atheistic".  

Last night at 10pm, a local church (either orthodox or catholic, I am not sure) played "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" on the church bells.  Not just the chorus, but the entire song.  It was wonderful, I have never heard anything like that before.  The bells rang through out the community. 

Then at midnight...a massive fireworks display took place in the main center of Tirana.  Now...there could be no other reason for this celebration...at midnight on December 25th.  New Years is still a week away, this country does not need practice with fireworks...it is an art form here...I will get to experience it next week. 

Now...in the US, mainline denominational Christian 18%, Catholic 24%, Evangelical 26%, and Muslim .6%...and the words "Merry Christmas" are not "politically correct". 

Hmmm....

Merry Christmas !  God bless you!  

Merry Christmas from Tirana, Albania~~~

This is my first Christmas in Tirana, and it is very easy to find things that make me smile.  Twenty plus years ago...Albania declared itself to be a completely "atheistic country." Everywhere you look around town is evidence to the contrary...Christmas trees, a Santa village in the main center of Tirana, stores decorated with snowflakes, ribbons, and lights. Streets and light poles are decorated with what looks like Christmas decorations to me. I know of several churches that were singing carols around the main center.
Today, I was walking through the open market near my home.  It was packed, the majority of the shoppers were men. As I came to one area of the market, I discovered hundreds of turkeys, lined up in rows on the street.  Their feet were tied together...they were all just laying there...waiting to be purchased.  I asked, each turkey is about 12# fully clothed and costs about $50-60 USD, and you have to do all the "work".  I was later told that many people buy the turkeys now, tie them to a tree in their yard, feed them for a week and eat them at New Years. I saw one bird that was standing up...make a run for it...he is currently missing most of the feathers on his left wing.  I couldn't get anyone to let me take a photo...but most of the birds were draped over a shoulder as shoppers continued through the market. It was perfectly normal to be carrying a live turkey over your shoulder as you buy onions, garlic and potatoes.

I am finding that life is just as much an adventure in Tirana, Albania as it was in Kosova.

Have a Blessed Christmas...!

P.S....I acknowledge that most Albanians would tell you that the decorations are not for Christmas, but for New Year's Celebration.  Ok...but I still think it is about Christmas.  ;-)