Prince Newsletter

  
 

Misión Luterana de Puerto Rico

                  
  December, 2003         On January 6th, which is the Day of the Three Kings (El día de los Tres Reyes), gifts are given again. After Christmas until January 6th children sit on the laps of the three kings and ask for more gifts.

Tradition states that on the eve of Epiphany children collect hay, straw or grass and place it in boxes or containers under their beds. This gesture is a gift of food for the kings’ horses while they rest in between deliveries. (Note: we have no camels in PR). If a child was good for the past year he/she will receive candies, sweets or toys and other items of want. If the child misbehaved or was naughty he/she will instead find a lump of dirt or charcoal in his/her box.

    
         
 
Model of future church building
School (bottom level)
        

Greetings to all from sunny Puerto Rico! We wanted to take this opportunity to share a little bit about Christmas in Puerto Rico. It is a wonderful time of year! Usually by the 1st of November the Christmas trees are up and decorated. They stay up through the 15th of January. Like in the States, it is common to see children sitting on Santa's lap asking for gifts. And then on the 25th of December children open their presents. However, at this time the gifts received consist of items of need such as clothing

  
Most of our Christmas carols and hymns sung in our church are also popular in the States:

@ · Oh, ven! Oh, ven Emmanuel = O Come, O Come Immanuel

@ · Noche de Paz, noche de amor = Silent Night

@ · Oh, pueblecito de Belén = O little town of Bethlehem

@ · Angeles cantando están = Angels we have heard on high

@ · Qué niño es éste? = What child is this?
Also, during the holiday season it is common to have a group of singers show up unannounced at your door. So you'd better be ready! They are a lot like carolers but usually much louder. They sing, play drums and make a lot of noise. When they finish performing, the parranderos (carolers) generally are invited in by the homeowner and, in anticipation of their visit, the host offers them food and drinks.

   
Luke 2: 10-12
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 
And finally, the church construction is coming along nicely. By the middle of January we hope to have the roof on the first level (it is the roof of the school but the floor of the church). We will have our work groups in January, February and March put in our septic tank, work on enclosing the level with doors and windows, and install the plumbing and electricity in the lower level. Hopefully, all construction will be completed by this time next year!  
Looking down on the lower level
    
As we close we want to thank you for your support and prayers. God bless you and yours during this season as we await the coming King. Merry Christmas!

Prayer Requests
· For the safety of all our workers
· For our volunteer teams who are coming to help with construction
· For more financial assistance to help complete our building
· For boldness to share the Gospel

    
The main school hallway
                 
             

PO Box 3085
Mayaguez, PR 00681
787-831-6678, msprince97@aol.com
web site: www.lcms-prmission.org

        
       
Working to Advance His Kingdom,
Matthew and Susan Prince
        
A future classroom