{"id":7342,"date":"2015-12-29T08:26:23","date_gmt":"2015-12-29T13:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=7342"},"modified":"2015-12-29T08:26:23","modified_gmt":"2015-12-29T13:26:23","slug":"o-holy-night-a-christmas-memory-set-in-casablanca-morocco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=7342","title":{"rendered":"O Holy Night – a Christmas Memory Set in Casablanca, Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Blog<\/a><\/p>\n

As we tuck our Christmas 2015 memories away, one sweet distant memory\u00a0was stirred\u00a0this weekend. First, a little background of how it came to mind after many years…<\/p>\n

We listen to Christmas music starting in October, so we delight in those radio stations that play it non-stop from Thanksgiving through December 25. My favorite radio station (Positive Hits PERS<\/a>)\u00a0 continues, this week,\u00a0to intersperse their playlist with Christmas songs…maybe until the New Year, and I am grateful.<\/p>\n

Because of all that playtime, it was in the car, on Sunday,\u00a0that I heard Mariah Carey sing O Holy Night<\/a>. \"Blog<\/a>Photo Credit: Maxwell on Twitter<\/span><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

Then the memory flooded in…with so much joy… of another singing of O Holy Night<\/em>.\u00a0It was during the month of Ramadan over 10 years ago, in Morocco. That year Ramadan fell during November\/December. One of the delights of Ramadan for us expats\u00a0\u00a0(who were foreigners to its observance) was an international\u00a0merchandise fair held every night. \"Blog<\/a>Photo Credit: The Daily Beast<\/a><\/p>\n

That year we went to the Ramadan Fair for Christmas presents.\u00a0The fair\u00a0is held in a\u00a0massive exhibition hall, and the aisles\u00a0are filled with imported and specialty goods of all sorts – specialty foods and other edible\u00a0treats, clothing, toys, and d\u00e9cor.\u00a0My friend, Terri, and I drove to the center of Casablanca one evening when the fair opened, after the breaking of the Ramadan fast. Our three teenaged daughters were with us.<\/p>\n

It was a festive, funky time. We spoke Arabic to those vendors who spoke Arabic, and English to the Chinese, Pakistani,\u00a0and Indian vendors, and broken French to the Senegalese vendors. It was a great night of shopping as we carried bags of treasures back to our car in the packed parking lot.<\/p>\n

On the ride home, we sang Christmas carols. These family friends are known for their incredible vocal abilities. Terri and her daughters, Stephanie and Vanessa, are masters at 3-part harmony. My daughter Christie and I could at least blend in well enough.<\/p>\n

We drove through the city, on that\u00a0mild winter evening, singing our hearts out for Christmas. Pulling in front of their house, we were just starting O Holy Night<\/em>. I don’t think we give it a thought as to who might be listening and wondering at that car\u00a0loaded with women filling the night with that glorious song.<\/p>\n

When we finished the song, we\u00a0didn’t speak at first, silenced by the magic of that moment. To be so far from our homes and traditions in the US, and yet to find that place of sweet community. In a dark car, on a Ramadan night, in Casablanca…for us, a tiny group of American friends –\u00a0it truly was a holy night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Blog<\/a>Steph, Nessa, and Terri holding Christie (with brother Jared’s help)<\/p>\n

\"2006<\/a>That Family – All I Want For Christmas Is You<\/a>\"Christie,<\/a>High School Buddies<\/p>\n