Warm Christmas Greetings From Spain
Christmas in Spain is so beautiful. In Madrid, we don’t get much snow, but the decorations are extravagant. From lights that line the streets, even in the smaller villages, to huge and intricate Nativity displays, it seems hard to miss the real meaning of Christmas. However, for so many Spaniards it’s only cultural.
We recently visited a Nativity shop. It was full of wise men, manger scenes, and all sorts of figurines that would be part of a nativity scene. There were extra pieces so that you could build a whole town, such as bakers and woodcutters, and then we noticed a figurine of a 1lady holding the Christmas lottery tickets, and some 2men smoking hookah.
In the public school that our 4-year-old attends, the focus of December is the Nativity story. When the teacher shared this we were a bit taken back. But she quickly assured the parents that there was no religious significance to what was going to be taught, and it was only a fun story, and tradition, much like Santa Claus and his elves.
As Christians, it is hard to not see Jesus in this season. Who Jesus is and what He’s done for us is why we celebrate Christmas. This is almost completely lost in the traditions of Spain. While there are Christmas lights and whispers of the truth, the lostness is obvious. Please pray with us this Christmas season. Pray that God would speak to hearts and lives about the true meaning of Christmas and that Spaniards would be able to differentiate the tradition from the truth.
This fall, Adam started working closely with Andoni, the National Director of the Global University Spain (GUs) office. Andoni is doing a wonderful job running GUs, and we are so happy to be working alongside him. Through GUs, Adam is helping in the following ways:
Promoting GU at the AG World Congress here in Madrid, by speaking with pastors and future students from all over the world and helping them find the right discipleship materials and courses.
Visit various churchs around Spain of several denominations.
Preach in our local church, and in the AG church in Ocoroño, Galicia, Spain (Northwest Spain).
Participating in local AG district events. meeting more Spanish and local pastors to build stronger ministry relationships.
Worship service during October 2023 for the Assemblies of God World Congress in Madrid, Spain.
Adam teaching about building a habit of prayer at Centro Cristiano in Ocoroño, Galicia, Spain.
Adam and Pastor Luis (a professional shell- fish fisherman, and pastor) on the O Lombo Delta, near Noia, Galicia, Spain
Adam, Caleb, Bethany and Sam at the Mercado de Navidad in Alcalá de Henares.
Bethany is serving on the board of the Christian school that our oldest son attends. This school is such a blessing to many people as it reaches out into the community it is located. We are excited to watch it grow and reach more families for the Lord.
Thank you so much for your prayer and support that keeps our boots on the ground here in Spain. We hope and pray that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Feliz Navidad
Adam & Bethany Weatherly
Your Missionaries to Spain.
