Christmas Eve Shamiana

Each year in the desert city of Karachi, our gathering of believers looked forward to a meaningful Christmas Eve celebration under the shamiana. 

Shamianas. These brightly colored tents signal there’s a celebration going on in a South Asian neighborhood.   They serve as a festive backdrop for weddings and birthdays, office dinner parties and more. 

Christmas Eve preparations

On Christmas Eve morning a party company arrived at our house in their truck to prepare for the evening service.   

They rolled carpets out over the front yard and driveway, and set up a framework. 

The colorful patchwork cloth was fastened on poles, making a bright wall on all sides and a covering above the yard. 

They hung strings of white lights all around.  Set in place rows of chairs and a small stage. 

When darkness fell, the shamiana shone in brilliant colors.

The people gather

And the people came. Those from the local community. And expatriates from around the world who were temporarily working or studying in Karachi.  

There was no sign outside the gate. Publicity was mainly by word of mouth.

But the chairs were filled. 

Languages and cultures

The Christmas Eve program varied each time. But usually it displayed a mix of the languages and cultures represented in our congregation that year.  

A family from Germany shared a German carol. The Kenyan nurses joyfully sang and danced their Christmas song. 

We heard the prophecies and the Christmas story told in a variety of languages. Korean, Urdu, Mandarin, Sindhi, Spanish, Brahui. 

One particularly memorable Christmas Eve, I accompanied a group of 20 Chinese men and women, many of them new believers. Most from mainland China. 

They sang with joy in Mandarin: “There Is a God.”  

Light in the darkness

Christmas Eve 1998. As his young son began to fuss, one of our members strolled with him outside the gate and down the street.  He said the music and the readings carried in the cool night air.  

Everything else was dark but the shamiana shown bright. 

Light spilled over the walls and out the open gate.  

His shamiana

This season may the light of Christ in His church shine brightly all over the world. Songs of joyful truth spilling into the streets, lighting up the neighborhoods. 

The Lord’s tent extends and grows, welcoming people from every nation, tribe, people and language. A glorious shamiana. 

Someday those who have repented and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ will be gathered together in one grand mix of cultures and languages. 

Standing before the Throne. 

Worshiping the Lamb who is worthy of all glory and honor and praise. [Revelation 7:9-10]

What about you?

How are you celebrating on Christmas Eve this year? Share a favorite Christmas Eve memory or tradition.

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