This is my first Christmas to be spent in Ukraine and certainly many things are very different here. First of all, the Christmas season really does not begin until January 1st so very few have decorations or trees up yet. We do! Katya has done an excellent job of decorating our home like an American Christmas! It’s beautiful! Second, Christmas here is much simpler than in the US. Usually, everyone gets just one small gift for Christmas. Katya and I had purchased a few gifts and put them under our little tree. One Ukrainian friend was visiting and was amazed at ALL the presents under the tree! Katya said she could not bring herself to tell about all the presents we have in America under our tree! Needless to say, Christmas in Ukraine is much simpler (as maybe it should be). Finally, Christmas is not really until January 6/7 (St. Nicholas Day) because we live in an Orthodox country. But many believers still celebrate Christmas on December 25th like we do. But Christmas Day is a work day here so any celebrations are only in the evening after work.
Christmas in the Soviet Union
Christmas in Ukraine was similar to most places in Europe until 1919. After the Communists took over, they banned Christmas 
completely and made December 25th a work and school day. But people wanted to celebrate so they created their own tradition. Instead of Santa Claus, they created “Дед Мороз” or “Grandfather Frost”. He’s a thin version of Santa Claus and he is accompanied by his helper, Снегу́рочка, or the “Snow Maiden” and they bring gifts to children on New Year’s Eve.
I came across an old radio message by Ronald Reagan called “Christmas According to Lenin and Marx.” Here are some excerpts from it that might give some insights to the way Christmas was during Soviet times:
When the Ukraine was free and not under Soviet bondage, Christmas was, of course, the religious event that it is in the Western world. A favorite Ukrainian carol was “Nova Radist Stala” — ‘The Joyous News Has Come To Us.’ In the good days of freedom, the people of the Ukraine sang these verses:
The joyous news has come which never was before. Over a cave above a manger a bright star has lit the world, where Jesus was born from a virgin maiden, clad in raiment poor like a peasant baby, the shepherds with the lambs surrounded the child, and on knees they Him glorified. We beg you our King, we pray to you today, grant happiness and joy to this family.
Now, of course, this was neither fitting nor permitted under Communism. Still the commissars were a little leery about an outright ban. They chose to allow the song after some rewriting. In fact, they provided the Ukrainians with two versions, neither of which could be expected to have made the Ukrainian Hit Parade. Here’s the first version:
“The joyous news has come which never was before, a red star with five tails has brightly lit the world.” See they only changed one line in that verse, but wait —
“The altars have crumbled and all the kings have fallen, glory to the working people, to shepherds and the plowmen, glory to our host and to his fair hostess. May their friendly household know only happiness. May all their family, especially the children, grow up to be strong and happy so as to fight the rich men.”
You know, our own kids could probably get away with singing that one in the classroom.
The second version is a little meatier, even though they got the Christmas story down to two verses instead of four.
The Joyous News has come which never was before. Long-awaited star of freedom lit the skies in October. (If you’re wondering about what happened on the date, the revolution took place in October.) Where formerly lived the kings and had the roots their nobles, there today with simple folks, Lenin’s glory hovers.
The people of the Ukraine, both in and outside the Iron Curtain, were so carried away by these verses, they added one of their own. They sing it, but carefully refrain from putting it in the songbooks. It goes: “We beg you our Lord, we pray to you today. Grant us freedom, return glory to our Mother Ukraine.” I guess we all hope their prayer is answered.
We do too! It is amazing to realize all that has happened here in Ukraine in the last 22 years. Christmas is again celebrated as the birth of Christ! But true freedom is still a struggle here. Pray that the message of Christmas might transform the nation and the message of Jesus might be supreme.
Teaching and Ministry
I finished the class on Contemporary Issues in Theology in December and we are now waiting for papers to arrive so they can be graded also. It was a great class with lots of good, biblical discussions about each of these issues.
I am also preparing for teaching the World History class in January followed by a class on the Theology of Prayer in March. Also, Katya is due at the end of January so we have a very busy few months ahead!
The New Year Ahead
In the fall, I decided to take a Russian class at the National Linguistics University in Kiev. I’ve been taking classes 4-5 hours a day plus doing another 3-4 hours homework each night. I can certainly see the improvements in my Russian but I have a long way to go! I’ll be continuing to take these classes in February until summer while I continue to try to teach my classes. It makes for a hectic schedule but I think it is really important for me to be taking Russian.
Grateful for so much!
As we begin another year, we ask that you continue to pray for the people of Ukraine. Last January, I asked you to pray for Ukraine:
“The politics here are becoming unstable and repressive. Most of the news about Ukraine does not appear in the US but the government here is very similar to that in Russia. Jury trials are not required now and secret trials can take place without the accused even knowing what they are accused of. Many previous freedoms are being slowly erased. Ukraine has recently dropped below Moldavia in “freedom rankings.” But we know God is in control and there still remains a window of opportunity to train many for the work of ministry here in Ukraine. Please pray for Ukraine this year.”
Right now, Ukraine is in the process of a revolution (see previous updates or FaceBook postings). All is relatively calm here now but the government here continues to deny freedom of the press and the future of a free and independent Ukraine depends on what happens in the coming months. Please pray for Ukraine this year!
Also, be praying for us as we minister in our church and other ministries. We are currently involved in ESL Clubs (through Campus Crusade ministries), a home group and children’s ministry. Socially, we are touching lives through teaching dance classes at a Youth Club in Kiev (including many international students who began coming this fall). Pray that our lives and words will lead others to Christ.
Most of all, many still live in spiritual darkness without knowing the freedom the gospel can bring. Kiev Theological Seminary is training students and professors who are changing that, and Katya and I are glad we can be part of it!
Thank you too for your prayers and support … we could not be here doing this ministry without your help! Last month, we added 2 new people to our support team! We are grateful for each person who has decided to become partners with us in this ministry! Most of all, we are thankful for Jesus: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
By His Grace,
Jim and Katya
Teaching Resources International 