There’s a knock on the old wooden door of the kitchen. It’s Auntie Aisha, hugging a bundle of blanket-wrapped flatbread fresh out the oven. Her entrance brings simultaneous gusts of warm greetings and cold morning air rushing off the dunes on the edge of town.

“Sabah al-khair—good morning,” Aisha says as she closes the door and places the bread on the counter. “The winter winds are so strong today. How are you doing with this cold?”

“Good morning, we are well,” replies Mariam as she fills several small glasses with hot, sweet tea. “This tea will warm the stomach—but thank God for His bread that satisfies the soul!”

THE VOICES OF MEN AND WOMEN, YOUNG AND OLD, JOIN IN SINGING FROM THE LIVING ROOM.

Fariq, Mariam’s tall teenaged son, strides into the kitchen. “Auntie Aisha, we’re all waiting for you!” he exclaims. He wraps his arms around her and gives her a friendly kiss on the forehead. Seeing the bundle of bread, Fariq picks it up and cradles it like a newborn. “Is it time to feast yet?” he asks.

“Not yet, but go on and take the bread to the living room,” says Mariam, playfully pushing her son out of the kitchen with the warm bundle.

He saunters out singing loudly. Mariam and Aisha hear the voices of several others—both men and women, young and old—joining his song from the living room. Someone begins tapping a rhythm on a small drum while others clap. It’s a joyous sound that seems to drive out every trace of cold winter air.

This may seem like a typical morning for a typical Muslim family.

THIS YEAR, MEN AND WOMEN FROM MUSLIM COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD STARTED FOLLOWING JESUS.

But Aisha, Mariam, Fariq, and their family are not typical. They are the first known followers of Christ in their vast, arid region. And on this winter morning, they gather to read the Word, pray together, and celebrate their new life in Jesus. They’ll also break bread in remembrance of the One who died in their place and satisfies them with the hope of eternal life.

For the men and women singing in Mariam’s living room, every day is as wonderful as Christmas—full of joy in Jesus Christ, who took on human form to show us the way and set us free from sin.

This family is also discovering the joy of offering the hope of eternal life to others. Thanks to training and coaching from a Frontiers team, they’ve been sharing the Word with several Muslim families. Some new believers have even been baptized.

We rejoice that men and women from Muslim communities around the world have embraced Jesus and started following Him. We celebrate Christmas, knowing that men, women, and children in the Muslim world are joining us in honoring Christ, the Savior of all.

Editor's Note

Names have been changed for security.

Main photo by Jez Timms