Jesse & Kristen K

Each Christmas, our UW ISM (international student ministry) team, otherwise known as Badger Internationals, hosts an International Christmas Party at the Upper House in the heart of campus. Our tradition is to tell the true account of Jesus' birth as recorded in the historical records of Matthew and Luke. Rather than simply telling the story, we involve the international students and professors who attend by enlisting them as actors and readers: so they are the shepherds, the magi, the angel Gabriel, and so forth. Interspersed with the readings from the Gospels are traditional Christmas carols carefully chosen for their content to reinforce what the biblical narratives are communicating. Afterwards, over a plate of homebaked Christmas goodies, volunteer table hosts answer questions about the original Christmas, and the One who is Immanuel, 'God with Us,' and how He is relevant to our lives roughly 2,000 years later.