Around this time on the Race is when homesickness can hit the worst. It is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the birth of the Savior. But being overseas can make this a very hard time.
I thought I would experience this hard time being away from home during this Christmas season, away from family and having a new nephew celebrating his first Christmas. To my own surprise that has not what happened. It is only because of how the Lord works in mysterious ways.
I am HOME for Christmas. My home just looks like a “church” with my sleeping pad on the floor across the room from the Christmas tree (there is even one present under the tree). My home also includes my family of two Malay/Indian parents named Pastor Mark and Ama Tina, and three siblings; KrisShen, 26, Aaron, 23, and Esther, 19 and my five World Race sisters.
Just when the Lord knew we would need it most he provided a family for us.
The bustle of Christmas activity is still around, it just takes on a different look.
We started off the month with the opportunity and privilege to decorate for Christmas both the Shans house and the church. In true American style we turned on some Christmas music and went to town decorating the tree. Laughing and joking with one another as we chose our decorating scheme. As the glitz and glitter transformed the scene the excitement and anticipation set in a little more.
Another tradition that the Shan family and their church keep is Christmas caroling. Nope, it’s not what your thinking. Start at 7 pm isn and drive to the first house. Sing songs in both Tamil and English. Pray for the family. And then they feed you like a legit meal. That may sound all fine and wonderful, but think about doing that three times each night. It means you head home with a VERY FULL BELLY and a very happy heart. Total we caroled at seven houses.
Christmas Eve consisted of preparing the church and ourselves for the worship service in the evening. We each wore a Sari or Panjabi suit as our Christmas outfit. The evening service is composed of special music and a Christmas message along with bunches of worship songs done freely. Then to finish off the night we fellowship over a Christmas feast!
Christmas day was a whirlwind of eating, fellowshipping and truly just enjoying the new Christmas traditions. There are two things that never really happen at a Korson Christmas 1) We don’t leave the house and 2) We don’t get out of our pajamas. But this year I found myself doing BOTH! I wore a traditional Panjabi suit and headed out with the team to three different houses. A new house for every meal. Each place served us such unique food and it was a blast just being completely welcomed into each of their families.
We finished off Christmas night with a birthday cake for Jesus, exchanging of Secret Santa gifts with the team, a round of Quelf.
There are a few things about this Christmas that were different. But I loved it. There may not have been many presents and I may have not done what I am used to. But this Christmas I was reminded that Christmas is all about JESUS and the fellowship we get to share together with others because we are all related in God’s family.
