I just wanted to share a quick little note about my Christmas. We spent Christmas at a beach in the Philippines. There was absolutely nothing around us. No shopping centers. No good restaurants. It was a very bumpy ride to the closest town…and there really wasn’t much there. Not even an ATM, so none of us had any money. It was a very different Christmas. The coast was absolutely beautiful. The housing was not up to our Western standard, but we are used to that – no toilet seat, cold showers, no sheets either and of course no A.C. But all of that was OK.
The real thing I want to share is the difference in the Christmas holiday for me. Usually at some point during the holidays I become frustrated with the rush and chaos – all the hype, all the materialism, all the celebration of self. At times it makes me want to forget everything and escape to some far off island. Well that happened this year and to be perfectly honest, I missed a little of what takes place at home. Of course I missed family (but I did have all the people I have come to know as family surrounding me). I missed not running downstairs with my brothers to a tree surrounds with beautiful Christmas gifts. I missed shopping with my mom. And helping my brothers and dad. I missed all the decorations and seeing Oprah’s favorite things for the year. I missed trying to find the best gift for the people I love (although sometimes it comes with struggle). So I missed a lot. But I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Because I got to celebrate nothing but Christ. There were no presents to open on Christmas morning. I just got to spend the day with my Savior – celebrate Him and nothing else. I was still with people I love. I was in a beautiful place. It was quite amazing, although completely different than any other Christmas.
I hope you all had an amazing Christmas. I hope it was filled with peace – no stress. I hope you were with loved ones. And most of all I hope you were able to celebrate Jesus by spending time with Him in the midst of the craziness. If not, I hope you can take time for that today. Peace, love, joy and blessings in abundance to all of you.
