On January 7, I had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Gena (Ethiopian-Orthodox Christmas), a holiday full of happiness, warmth, music, and delicious food. During this time Orthodox Christians fast for roughly two months, meaning they abstain from consuming animal products and eat one meal a day for spiritual cleansing and purification.

I celebrated Gena this past January in the presence of my family and friends. The night of celebration started with a meaningful blessing of the food, where we all took a moment to pray and be grateful that we had made it to yet another year to Gena. Together. Having the opportunity to pause and just be present in the moment to appreciate the day and people around us was so special.

After the blessing, we dug into the delicious traditional Ethiopian dishes: fresh injera and savory stews. Being able to indulge and enjoy all the beautiful flavors and textures of the meal was so rewarding after having spent the past two months fasting.

Once we were full, we continued the celebration with Buna, the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. We watched the coffee beans roast and felt the aroma fill the room. Everyone shared cups, making the ceremony feel so much more serene and intimate. During this time, we swapped stories, laughed, and just really appreciated the warmth and community of family.

To celebrate Gena is to embrace our faith, culture, and overall togetherness. It is more than just a holiday–it is a mix of gratitude, tradition and joy. Between the food, the coffee, and the conversations, Gena is something I feel truly blessed to celebrate every single year with my friends and family.