Jaimasi! (Victorious messiah, the Nepali greeting from one Christian to another)
This year will be a Christmas season I will never forget. Part of that lies with the fact that I am separated from my family, but the real reason it will be a Christmas to remember is I am broken of expectation of what I am supposed to do for Christmas. The dirt streets here are still littered with trash, rather than Christmas lights. There is no decorated tree with presents waiting below. I’m not required to attend any parties. I don’t have to worry about getting work off. I don’t have to choose whom I want to spend my holiday with.
Today I had the opportunity to speak in from of 80 street kids and explain why we give presents. We took the day to celebrate Christmas with them; to play games, cook a meal, sing happy birthday to Jesus, enjoy cake, and give them presents. I have always loved serving, especially with children who don’t have anything. This year I feel I was really able to see thing through their eyes. I don’t have presents, parties, or anything materialistic that is associated with Christmas. I shared how we celebrate with presents because we got the greatest present of all, Jesus! It was so humbling to serve these children with an understanding of not having the comfort of family and tradition surrounding me. I was able to enter just a taste of their daily reality. I could also be reminded why I do celebrate the things I do. More than just going through the motions, I made celebrating the birth of our savior a priority. I was able to share with those less fortunate than me a hope of greatness. I got to see the true colors of Christmas this year—more than the red and green lining of the malls and ugly Christmas sweaters, I saw the true celebration in Christ’s birth.
