Rachel Pieh Jones discusses four common questions about Christmas from Muslims in her community and she offers ways American Christian families can grow closer to Jesus by learning from the global Christian community. Rachel offers tips for families about how to make new Christmas traditions, all while she sheds light on her family's experiences celebrating Christmas where Christians make up less than 1% of the country, Djibouti. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Four Questions that Muslims and Other Non-Christians May Have about ChristmasAbout Finding Commonality in What the Quran Says concerning the Birth of JesusTips for Families Creating New Traditions and Celebrating Christmas on the Move, Abroad or at HomeBONUS CONTENT: Episode: #13 Are God and Allah the Same? A Christian Midwesterner’s Reflections on Her Journey in East Africa, in Muslim Majority CountriesABOUT THE GUEST: Rachel Pieh Jones writes about life at the crossroads of faith and culture. Her work is influenced by living as a foreigner in the Horn of Africa, raising three Third Culture Kids, and adventurous exploration of the natural world. She has written for the New York Times, Runners World, Deadspin, the Big Roundtable, and more. They moved to the Horn of Africa for her husband to work at local universities and help to develop courses and programs. Currently they direct an international school.Rachel is the author of Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus.SCRIPTURE RELATED TO EPISODE:Isaiah 7: 14 and Matthew 1: 23; God is with Us, ImmanuelJohn 3: 9-14, God’s Word Dwell among HumansHebrews 1: 1-3; Jesus Is the Exact Representation of God's BeingLINKS:Rachel Pieh Jones On TwitterPillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to JesusTIMESTAMPED SHOWNOTES:01:02 - Topic: Christians and Muslims Together at Christmastime02:07 - Family, Faith and Culture03:13 - Christmastime Trends in Djibouti04:35 - Church on Christmas Eve04:58 - Armed Soldiers outside Church Services06:25 - Personal Christmas Traditions07:20 - How Do Some Muslims See Christmas and Cultural Symbols08:47 - Questions that Muslims May Have about Christmas09:26 - 1. Worshiping Trees?09:33 - 2. Jesus Dressed Up as a Jolly Man with a White Beard?10:01 - 3. Why Isn't Jesus' Birth Celebrated Like Other Prophets in the Quran?11:11 - Why Does Jesus' Birth Matter? 13:34 - Jesus' Birth in the Quran and the Bible14:50 - Asking Questions and Being Curious about Similarities15:30 - 4. How Was the Son of God Conceived?16:31 - For Christian Families in America: Lessons from Abroad16:50 - The Importance of Humility, Curiosity and Delight17:32 - Learning from Christmas Traditions around the World18:47 - Inviting International Friends for Christmas19:18 - For Missionary Families: Tips for Celebrating Christmas on the Move22:34 - Jesus through Middle-Eastern Eyes23:56 - Contacting Rachel Pieh Jones on Twitter24:37 - Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha: Five Djibouti JokesDID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST? Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.comListen to Our Urban Voices