Christmas on the rez

Our Christmas this year will be quite different from any in the recent past. In fact, since our #1 child was born more than 45 years ago, this is the first year we will be entirely without family. It's just the two of us, here among our new friends and borrowed family in Kayenta. Still we are celebrating the season with joy. We have lights in our front window and a few more lights shining from the small arbovitae tree in front of our duplex. Inside my husband has strung a chain of beads which we are using to hang Christmas cards, and we even have a Christmas tree. The doorknob and drinking glass are included for size reference.

There's a new addition this year, one we hope to take home with us as a memento of our time in the Navajo Nation. We plan for it to decorate our home in California when we are there again, two Christmases from now.  

This Nativity is the work of a local artist. The Holy Family, the angel, and the shepherd are depicted as Zuni, in a Zuni pueblo room. The wise man shown with the rug is Navajo. The other human figures are dressed as members of different pueblo tribes. This is yet another way of making current and relevant the events we celebrate at this season. Until next year, Yá'át'ééh Késhmish, everyone!

Susan Aylworth and Roger, her husband of 47 years, are serving as full-time missionaries working in addiction recovery programs on the Navajo Nation. They are living in Kayenta, Arizona. Susan has authored 14 novels, all available as e-books. Contact her via her website, susanaylworth.com, or susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com or @SusanAylworth.