Christmas 2018 note
Merry Christmas, dear friends! Can you believe that Christmas is only a week away?? I can't. As always, Christmas here in the jungle tends to catch me (Catherine) by surprise. It is less announced in the rural jungle villages where we live and visit, and I guess it's because of the absence of the cultural cues that I grew up with that Christmas always ends up sneaking up on me here.
Even without all the shopping, fuss, glitter, presents, materialism, & buzz of this season that is found in the modern areas outside of daily village life, I've discovered that Christmas is perhaps more powerful for me in a village context because of the simplicity of it. As I've thought through the different Christmas's I've celebrated (all in very different contexts), I've come to recognize that Christmas isn't less when there are no Christmas trees, bows, or presents. Christmas is crucial no matter the context because in truth...we need Christmas desperately.That sounds a little off, right? We all know we don't necessarily need presents, the holiday celebrations, or the traditions around Christmas, but Christmas in it's most essential, simplified form - what is it? Is it not the moment that our God became human and lived & suffered among us & for us? Is it not the birth of the Hope-bringer, the Curse-crusher, and the Last Sin-eater?
My take away from this season in life: I think Christmas might be more when it is in its most simplified form. Christmas is light when we truly look to & celebrate the humble birth of a little baby boy. Christmas is hope especially for those suffering loss, like in the case of our friends who are grieving the tragic death of their little 2 year old. Christmas is life for those discovering for the first time the personal call of Jesus in their lives to come and follow Him. Christmas is peace in a life of uncertainty of what life brings because we know who is with us and how everything will end. What I'm learning is that Christmas can be more potent when there are little cultural additives to distract from the most important part = our need of Christ. Christmas is important because we need Christ so desperately.
We wish you light, hope, peace, and a Christ-filled Christmas! Hugs,
Nemo & Catherine
Even without all the shopping, fuss, glitter, presents, materialism, & buzz of this season that is found in the modern areas outside of daily village life, I've discovered that Christmas is perhaps more powerful for me in a village context because of the simplicity of it. As I've thought through the different Christmas's I've celebrated (all in very different contexts), I've come to recognize that Christmas isn't less when there are no Christmas trees, bows, or presents. Christmas is crucial no matter the context because in truth...we need Christmas desperately.That sounds a little off, right? We all know we don't necessarily need presents, the holiday celebrations, or the traditions around Christmas, but Christmas in it's most essential, simplified form - what is it? Is it not the moment that our God became human and lived & suffered among us & for us? Is it not the birth of the Hope-bringer, the Curse-crusher, and the Last Sin-eater?
My take away from this season in life: I think Christmas might be more when it is in its most simplified form. Christmas is light when we truly look to & celebrate the humble birth of a little baby boy. Christmas is hope especially for those suffering loss, like in the case of our friends who are grieving the tragic death of their little 2 year old. Christmas is life for those discovering for the first time the personal call of Jesus in their lives to come and follow Him. Christmas is peace in a life of uncertainty of what life brings because we know who is with us and how everything will end. What I'm learning is that Christmas can be more potent when there are little cultural additives to distract from the most important part = our need of Christ. Christmas is important because we need Christ so desperately.
We wish you light, hope, peace, and a Christ-filled Christmas! Hugs,
Nemo & Catherine
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