I’ll be the one of the many ex-pats to admit it just doesn’t feel like Christmas.
Spending more than 3 decades, but not quite 4, in US, the Christmas season is full of carols, noisy background music, retail shopping, Christmas stories on TV, and then customs like Advent candles, caroling and Christmas eve services. Mailing of Christmas cards and writing a Christmas letter.
Of course, the cold weather, warm drinks, and the possibility of snow.
I still laugh when I hear songs like “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” or “Outside the snow is falling and we’ll sing a chorus or two. . ”
It’s 85-90 and snow is highly unlikely. There are no chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and jack frost is no where near.
It just feels weird to see Santa in shorts during the Christmas parade.
A musical cantata:
However, Sunday night was different.
We attended “Looking for the Star” put on by Crossroads Bible Church. In a darkened theatre, I was treated to wonderful performance of costumes, and dance, story telling, carols and worship songs, done in both English and Spanish. The narrative was in Spanish, but the songs were in both languages.
The only word I had for it at the end of the night was “speechless.”
To hear the same familiar chorus well sung in both languages.
To hear carols and choruses that have been missing for the last two Christmas seasons.
To feel like Christmas is coming.
To hear a choir and orchestration that I’ve never experienced before.
To see the exaltation of Jesus Christ as the true star of Christmas.
Christmas is here.
I realize that I miss some of the trappings of Christmas.
I miss some of the traditions that support the ambiance of the season.
But I’m glad I was reminded Sunday night not only of what I miss, but of the Child, for whom we are living in this country and working among this people.
The proclamation of His forgiveness freely available is what propels us to work here.
Because of this Child’s birth, we left our nets. Because of His birth, we have given all.
Merry Christmas friends.
(parade photo courtesy of Panama-Guide.com)
[…] us, in that they are taking us to church Christmas eve for a "Traditional" service (see: http://www.missiontotheamericas.org/2008/12/a-2nd-christmas-in-panama/ for what I miss about Christmas) and spending a Christmas eve dinner with us in our […]