Tropical Christmas

Since living here on the island of Saipan, we have met many people who would hate to live anywhere else. For them, Christmas is Christmas--another holiday. Hang up the lights, buy some presents, cook lots of food, eat lots of food, have a party or two, great weather, great beaches--what more could one desire. This isn't the first time we've lived away from "home" during Christmas. We have spent Christmases in Brasil, Portugal, and Guyana.

And to be honest, I have a difficult time thinking it's Christmas when it's 86 degrees and 86% humidity. It's hard to be away from the ones who have always been a part of my Christmas past. And the romantic that I am, I miss the Currier and Ives surroundings that were dear to me in my dad's picture book as a child growing up in Southern California which later became part of my daily landscape when we lived in Wisconsin and Indiana. So I must confess that Christmas to me is very much connected with family, friends, and familiar places.

But what is Christmas anyway? Why do we long for the closeness of family and loved ones at this particular time of the year? I'd like to suggest that it's because of a deeper longing that has been dulled and covered over by years of secular thought and cultural traditions--the longing to know and be known by our Creator, God.

It's this time of year that we are reminded that the "hopes and fears of all the years" are met in the form of the Christ-child, who became a man, and gave His perfect life as a sacrifice for our fallen, human nature. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us--and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

What is this truth? That we are lost without God; we don't know which way to go. But in this Christ-child who grew to be called the Son of Man, we find grace to love our enemies, to live in peace with ourselves, our God, and others, and to look forward to that better day coming when every Christmas wish we've ever felt will seem irrelevant and petty in the glorious new life we will realize in Christ's presence. He promised to come again and take us to be with Him. I think it will be soon.

Tropical Christmas? Not what I'm used to, not what I really like. But that's OK, because Christmas reminds me of the better life awaiting me in my heavenly home--and the longer I live, the more family and friends there are waiting for me in that special place. Hope to see you there.*

Jan

*Read the Book of John in the Bible to learn more about Jesus Christ and the eternal life He offers.