“My world is changing.
I’m rearranging.
Does that mean Christmas changes too?”
I love the anticipation of Christmas – which honestly the season leading up to Christmas day is really the most wonderful time of the year. And this year it was no different. I helped my team find joy in Christmas lights and even a gingerbread house competition. 
I love Christmas – Christmas music, lights, decorations, and parties – all of it. I love my family traditions and just spending time with them. I love hearing jokes from Grandpa, getting hugs from Grandma and listening to my dad sing random songs. I love playing games and watching movies with my siblings. I love watching my sisters unwrap gifts.
This year my Christmas day looked nothing like that. I felt like Cindy Lou Who looking for all the feels that come with Christmas. Instead, it felt more like a beach vacation – filled with a horse back ride and a nap in a hammock! I know most of you are stuck in cold weather and a beach probably sounds divine. And while I was extremely grateful and loved being on the beach – a part of me felt like I had skipped Christmas. The day was fun and memorable but something or a few some ones were missing. I hoped to fix that once we arrived back to the church.
We got back late due to traffic and a stop for papusas and then the internet wouldn’t work…so my hope to call home vanished. Then God gently reminded me that Christmas is not about family or gifts. (Though I was and am surrounded by a family that continues to show me great love despite a language barrier.) Christmas is about Jesus Christ. He reminded me the reason I love the Christmas season – it’s the romantic pursuit that the God of the universe bestows on us. The Christmas story is unfathomable. It’s amazing to think that the Creator becomes one of his creations. Jesus becomes a helpless baby and he endures all the growing pains. He does this all for a world that continues to reject him.
So as I stared at the stars that Christmas night, a song came to my mind. In “How Many Kings” from Downhere, they sing, “how many kings step down from their throne….how many gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that’s torn all apart…”
Though Christmas looked different, my Heavenly Father continues to give me so many gifts. His first gift was in His grand gesture of love by giving up His one and only Son to die a death that I deserve. But He doesn’t stop there. Today, He continues to give in His loving pursuit of me through the small details like a beautiful sunset and the bright twinkling stars. He gave me gifts of being seen and loved through this El Salvadoran family. He continues to show me how deeply I am loved through all of you and your constant prayers and support.
As the song says, “if there is love in your heart and your mind it will feel like Christmas all the time.” Only the love of our Father can give us a love that brings joy and hope every day. This is the truest and best Christmas gift.
So again, thank you for loving me despite the miles between us. And thank you, Jesus for romancing me on this crazy adventure.
Merry late Christmas.
