The family had decorated their small house with colorful Christmas lights and ornaments. The children were excited, eagerly awaiting the festivities.

The night before Christmas, they all went to church. The service was long, and the children grew restless, yearning for the Christmas meal and festivities.

As the service continued, the children's thoughts wandered to the delicious Ethiopian meal waiting at home, their mouths watering at the thought of dorowat and other traditional dishes.

They looked at each other, sharing the same thoughts. They whispered in hushed voices, discussing their plans for the next day. 'We will play field hockey with our friends,' they decided.

Christmas day arrived, and the children rushed to the field hockey ground, their laughter echoing around. They played with their friends, but something felt amiss.

As they were playing, they realized they missed their siblings. The joy of playing with friends was not the same as the warmth of playing with family.

They returned home, their hearts heavy with longing. The smell of Ethiopian food greeted them, making their stomachs grumble in anticipation.

They sat down for the Christmas meal, their family's smiling faces around the table. As they shared the food and laughter, their sadness began to fade away.

They realized that Christmas was not just about festivities and games, but about being together as a family, sharing love, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

The children shared their realization with their parents and grandparents, who smiled and hugged them. 'That's the true spirit of Christmas,' they said.

The family spent the rest of the day together, exchanging gifts, telling stories, and cherishing their time together. The children felt a warmth in their hearts, the true Christmas spirit.

As the day ended, they went to bed, their hearts filled with love and gratitude. They had learned the true meaning of Christmas, a lesson they would cherish forever.