Truths behind a foreign Christmas

-by Steph-

This Christmas resulted in a very strange sensation. The holiday cheer and jovial atmosphere, which usually accompany Christmas, were severely lacking. There were some Christmas trees and garlands, lights, and "Merry Christmas" signs, I will grant you that. However, the spirit of the season was perceptibly absent. In a country not founded upon Christian principles, any meaning to a Christian holiday is exorcised. The department stores decorate and publicize Christmas, but by much of the populace it is unwanted. In fact, I would say it is appreciable that in a society that is undecided about their religion they do not accept a holiday simply because it is commercially pushed upon them. I was actually surprised at how many of my students knew that Christmas was the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Granted, many did still say, “Santa Claus” was the reason for the season, but this falsity happens often in America as well.

I suppose the thing that was most interesting to me was that not one of my students said they would be opening presents on Christmas. Some said they got some money, but most said they would simply be sleeping and relaxing on their day off from school. When I asked why, many said it was because they were not Christian, and therefore did not celebrate. I appreciated that. It’s how it should be. I mean, I don’t celebrate Hanukkah because, well, I’m not Jewish. People shouldn’t celebrate Christmas if they are not Christian. In America, Christmas has become such a commercial commodity it’s hard for us to break free of that stigma. It definitely was fun getting a boatload of presents as a kid, but I think I lost what it really meant while frolicking in fields of ripped wrapping paper and toys.

Our Christmas was small and quaint this year. Just a Christmas Eve party with friends and Christmas day spent with the one I love most in the world, apart from Jesus. A sparse Christmas with a few presents from family, but we really felt blessed with what we were given.

We would have loved to be with our families, though. We missed the huge Christmas Eve bash with the Zisch’s. We missed Christmas morning with my mom and her delicious egg soufflé. We missed Christmas Day with the Redfields and playing Dutch blitz and eating Lisa’s delicious culinary masterpieces.

I didn’t feel put out because I missed the presents we would have gotten. (Although, I’m not gonna lie, it is still fun to open gifts.) I didn’t feel gloomy because I didn’t receive fake “Merry Christmas” greetings from people who don’t have any concept of what that truly means. What I missed most from home were the traditions of our family and the 11 o’clock candlelight Christmas Eve service.

It’s interesting how being in a country that has no ties to a holiday can make you more aware of what that day is really about. These things I conceptually have known for some time, but never been able to attempt putting them in to practice because I’ve always been enveloped in corrupted, commercial culture. It was easier this year to simply be thankful for my Savior, and grateful for His sacrifice, because there was no fat guy in a red suit to obscure the manger.