During Advent, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth guided the Pontifical Mission Childhood (PMC) children of Gongoni Parish in carol singing, a tradition that brings the message of Christmas closer to the community. This year, the children, accompanied by their animators and Sisters, visited nearly all outstations of the parish, incorporating local customs into their celebrations.

The caroling included a unique cultural tradition observed by families on Kenya’s coast. When a newborn is visited for the first time, the baby is introduced to the visitor, who cradles the infant, offers a kiss, and presents a small monetary gift, typically 100 or 200 KSH, placed in the baby’s hand. The Sisters adapted this practice to reflect the birth of Jesus.

During their caroling, PMC children carried a figure of Baby Jesus wrapped in white cloth. At each home, they stood at the main door while singing carols, and the family warmly welcomed them inside. Baby Jesus was placed on a prepared altar, and after songs and prayers, the host family members took turns holding the figure of Baby Jesus, kissing it, and offering a gift as part of the tradition.

This integration of local customs and carol singing brought the joy and hope of Christmas to families while sharing the deeper meaning of the season. The introduction of carols and nativity cribs by the Sisters, a relatively new addition to the parish, has been warmly embraced.

During a Christmas Eve Mass, Mama Emma Mundu, Chairperson of the parish, expressed gratitude to the Sisters, saying, “Our children did not know what a crib was. The Sisters made a crib in the church, and now, when they hear that Baby Jesus was born in a manger, they understand. Christmas has become more meaningful to us, especially to our children.”

Through their efforts, the Sisters and PMC children have deepened the community’s understanding of Christmas, blending faith with cultural traditions to create a richer celebration for all.