Christmas this year was different than I have ever experienced. I was not saturated & inundated with Christmas advertisements, commercials, food, or specials for the two months leading up to December 25th. I was not in a place that flirted with snow or cold weather for longer than a few hours. Instead of spending the Christmas season between Pennsylvania, New Mexico, or Arizona, I got to spend it in Cusco, Peru with my WorldRace team 🙂
Each hour & day leading up to the day we celebrate Christ’s birth has felt so distant this year. You see, we have been working in a church this month. Much of our ministry has consisted of cleaning & praying over the building we are serving in.
I’ll be honest with you, this week leading up to Christmas, I have felt super homesick. There have been a few times on the race where I have wanted to go home, but only because what I was experiencing was so difficult. This time, I just missed the comforts of home – coffee ready for me in the morning, without having to boil water. Soft, comfy couches to sit & read on & my mom, I really miss just hanging out with my mom! I have received countless emails & texts, reminding me I am loved & thought of, even from so far away – thank you for making me feel so loved. <3
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In Peru, they celebrate Christmas on the night of the 24th. We attended Christmas eve service {for which about 3/4 of the service the power was out}, so much of it was lit by candles. Instead of hearing the same Christmas story I’ve heard my whole life, we spent a lot of time focusing on the differences between our American traditions & what the bible actually says {that is a whole other blog – it was really eye-opening}. The other thing we learned about was the purpose & intentionality behind each of the gifts presented to Jesus when the wise men arrived.
The first gift, gold, which was always presented to kings in the middle east, especially during that time period. This gift was speaking to Christ as king, not only King of the Jews, but the king of the world; as he would serve the lowly & ultimately sacrifice his life for each of us. The second gift, frankincense {or incense}, was typically only used by priests, for priests. As we have heard, our prayers, gratitude, & praises are “like a pleasing aroma” to the Lord, as was Christ’s birth & life & death {2 Corinthians 2:15}. The third gift presented to Christ was myrrh.
Do you know what myrrh is typically used for? I didn’t. I learned that the Egyptians would use myrrh to embalm the bodies of their dead. Therefore, myrrh was given to this child as a foreshadowing of the purpose of Christ’s life – be born a human – 100% human & 100% divine – live the perfect life we could never live & die a criminal’s death on the cross, bearing each sin of every human on this earth. He did this for the sole purpose of allowing us to have a relationship with God our father & spend life eternal with Him {Matthew 2}. Could you imagine being Mary or Joseph & receiving myrrh after the birth of your child? What would you think?
Thus, the birth of Jesus was so much more significant than a humble family raising a Jewish child, in a culture that was threatened by his very existence. After all, Herod was so threatened by the birth of this “King of the Jews” that he ordered all children under the age of two to be killed {Matthew 2}.
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I was sent with a few Christmas cards from home & my sweet friend Hannah reminded me of something simply incredible. I would post just a picture of her card, but I spilled coffee on it {oops!} so I will just re-type what she said to me instead 🙂
“Wow, what a different & incredible Christmas for you. I imagine today is not filled with tangible gifts, or fancy food. I imagine today is a more simple & humble day, likely a more true picture of the point of Jesus’ birthday. You are spending your year, maybe even this day, certainly this week, living out the angels words in Luke 2 – you are bringing the good news of great joy that is Jesus to all people. I imagine this day (& year) is refining your understanding of the gospel in many ways; I love that today is a day to pause & recognize how even Jesus’ entrance into the world was small & not glamorous & likely uncomfortable for all involved.”
I am sitting here in the kitchen, with my team, watching Elf, with tears in my eyes. What a Holy realization. Not only has my understanding of the gospel been refined, but also my heart & soul in the process. Today is the most humble way I have ever spent the day celebrating Jesus’ birth. As hard as it is being away from my comforts & familiar, I don’t think I would have it any other way.
We began last night with a candlelight service: reading & worshiping in Spanish, by candlelight. After service we were invited to a local family’s house to celebrate Christmas, Peruvian style! In short, this looked like dinner at 11pm, fireworks at 12am, & bed at 130am. Today in Peru, is a day of rest for most. Our team set no alarms, we woke up to read the Christmas story, we made french toast, potatoes, eggs, hot chocolate, & coffee. We watched Elf together & talked to loved ones from home.
This afternoon, we are going to another host’s home to have a “Mediterranean style” Christmas dinner. The Blue Castle is where Fiercely Loved {the other team assigned ministry in Cusco} has been staying. We are doing a Secret Santa & spending the night there to wake up & go to Rainbow Mountain with them in the morning! Fun fact – on the race, Secret Santa on a budget includes going through your entire bag, deciding what you can part with {like a skirt, some instant coffees, maybe some tissues & chocolate} & you put it all in a grocery bag 🙂
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Yes, this year has looked so much different than any year past. Yes, this year being away from my family has been the most difficult yet, but years from now, when I get to look back on this year I know I will remember all the Lord reveled to me about His incredible, humble birth.
Happy Birthday Jesus & Merry Christmas!!
Love,
Maddie <3
