Christmas, for me, has always been surrounded by tradition.
This year was far from traditional, yet it held a simple beauty of it’s own.
Christmas this year started not by sleeping under a Christmas tree, but as a pile of six people on a twin bed after a long day of exploring Saigon and an all-you-can-eat taco bar.
In those moments of laughter and joy, I felt such contentment and love.
After a few hours of sleep, I was able to “join” my family for dinner. Sitting in that coffee shop, sharing stories with my family, I listened as Christmas songs proclaimed the Gospel message within the borders of a communist country.
As I walked back to my hotel along the road filled with backpackers, I thought about all the people searching for meaning in these streets. People who can’t see past the trees and the lights and the materialism—who haven’t grasped the message that played from the speakers.
Christmas is all about love.
It is about the love that God has for His people—love so strong that He sent His son to live among us and die for us.
What I’ve found makes the season of Christmas so beautiful is how we intentionally try to reflect this love towards one another. This outpouring of love is so attractive that even communist nations seek to emulate it.
So, what would our lives look like if we tried to live like this 24/7?
What if we decide to set our differences aside each day, and look at each other through Christ’s eyes—as image bearers, worthy of His sacrifice.
Would that make us more willing to proclaim the Gospel message?
Are we prepared to give the reason for the hope that we have? (1 Peter 3:15)
While being away from home for Christmas is hard, I’m so glad to be surrounded by a team and squad of people who love me so well—people who love and serve out of the overflow of their love for God.
