O Holy Night Meets Doro Wot: Embracing My Intercultural Holiday Identity

As someone born in Ethiopia but raised within a Dutch white conservative Reformed Christian community, Christmas has always been a significant celebration for me.

I grew up attending beautiful Christmas Eve services, singing age-old hymns like 'O Holy Night' and 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel'. These cherished traditions and hymns, however, feel entirely foreign to my Ethiopian Orthodox husband, for whom Christmas carries a different rhythm and flavor.

After more than a decade of living in Ethiopia, Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) has also become a family tradition. My children eagerly look forward to the Doro Wot (chicken stew served during Holidays), the freshly slaughtered cow or sheep, and the vibrant gatherings with neighbors.

Yet, every year, I find myself caught between two worlds: the deep familiarity of Western Christmas and the growing sense of belonging to Ethiopian Christmas.

This double loyalty is not just about two dates on the calendar—December 25th and January 7th—but about two distinct cultural identities I carry with me. It’s a reflection of my life’s journey and the beautiful complexity of living in an intercultural family.

Many of my friends and colleagues seem just as confused about where I stand. After I sent out a Merry Christmas card a few days ago, one dear colleague replied jokingly, “Ohhh, I am so sorry, I only stayed silent because I didn’t know you celebrate this Christmas too!”

And as if balancing two Christmases isn’t enough, let’s not forget that while we prepare to welcome 2025, Ethiopia just celebrated its New Year—2017—in September!

To everyone out there living between cultures, juggling multiple calendars, or feeling the pull of double loyalties this season, I see you.

Let’s embrace the richness of these experiences and celebrate them for what they are: a reflection of the diverse worlds we inhabit.

Happy Holiday Season to all—whether you're celebrating in December, January, or both!