"Does That Mean Christmas Changes Too?"

Picture it. Alabama farm. 1943. The war is going on, but no difference on this farm other than the empty seat at the table for the brother off to war. Harvest time means the family can afford a bag of fruit, Hook cheese and soda crackers, a bag of walnuts and Brazil nuts, and a gallon of oysters. The 6 year old boy gets a puzzle of the United States to learn the states and their capitals.  Like every other year, Christmas was simple that year. 

The world is changing.

Picture it. Shreveport. 1946. The war is over. Everyone is coming home and in need of jobs. Couples that rushed to get married before they went off to war were in need of housing. Not enough housing. Not enough jobs. A family finds a place to stay with family out in the country.  They go chop down a pitiful tree in the field. The momma gets a job just before Christmas. She is given a bag of oranges. The little girl, age 6, gets a simple rubber ball wrapped in paper. A simple tree, a simple bag of fruit, and a simple gift. Christmas was simple that year.

The "world is changing, 

I'm rearranging,

Does that mean Christmas changes too?" 

Picture it. Shreveport. 2014. Family does not have all the nativity scenes that they generally put up, none but a simple one stored away in the back of the garage. The family does not have their three trees from "back home" with all of their decorations, only a simple one with a handful of ornaments they were given this year. The 9 year old girl talks about missing the way the family decorates. The mom agrees and tells her that she and dad miss the decorations too. However, they are glad for what they have and are glad to be together. 

"My world is changing,

I'm rearranging,

Does that mean Christmas changes too?"

Last month, I went to a class on coping with cancer through the holidays. One of the things they said is that this year, Christmas will be different than it has been in the past, and it is going to be different than Christmas in the future. (Enter ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future from A Christmas Carol.)  This year, the focus for us has to be on our healing.  I had already scrapped a lot of plans of things that I would normally want to do. We would not go to Marshall to see the Wonderland of lights. (sad face)  We would not go to Natchitoches to see the lights and fireworks. (tear)  We would not do a lot of things that I push us to do while in the states. 

This weekend, I began reflecting on what we were not doing and why. I began to think that pushing to do all those things when we are here only serves to add to the things we miss when we are not here. I began to think about what we do when we are overseas, why we do them, what makes them special, and wonder if we should not bring our overseas traditions to this side of the ocean. 

Overseas we have a candlelight Christmas service, because we want to worship the One whose birth we are celebrating. We invite our coworkers and other English speakers who would like to join us for this time. The service of scriptures and songs is followed by a meal with whoever is around. Being the hosts, we provide the most of the food and yet others bring something to add as well. After the meal, we spend time visiting and sharing our favorite Christmas memories.  We enjoy the wide group around us. The next day we may or may not see anyone else outside of our immediate family. Only our closest "family" might come over to see the children open their presents. Then we have a relaxed day of playing their new games and watching new movies and enjoying a restful day of reflection. 

What does that mean for this year? Still not totally sure. What will I be feeling up to doing, physically or emotionally? Still not sure.  I am hopeful that this may be our best Christmas yet, our most reflective, and make for new Christmas traditions that last for a very long time to come.  Maybe it will be the most we have ever reflected on the Savior whose birth we celebrate at this time.