Meaning

I have been pretty sick the past few weeks. Having flu in the tropics is no fun (but where is it ever any fun?). After a slow three weeks, I am feeling much more like myself.  This evening, Freckie and I took the opportunity to get a bit of fresh air and take a walk. Funny, but as we walked the path, it felt so much like fall; the wind on my face, the sound of the wind, the gigantic leaves crunching under my feet.  And I mean Jurassic sized leaves...

Only 86 degrees and 47% humidity...still in the islands for sure. Usually this time of the year, I start feeling a bit sad and disconnected. I can tend to focus what I think I am missing. Such a strange feeling, 10 days before Christmas....

I got thinking about what really makes Christmas, "Christmas" to me. What brings meaning? Yes, I love all the lights, the carols, the snow & cooler weather, The Nutcracker, The Sound of Music, cookie baking & sweets, making gingerbread houses and of course,  family. The things that I enjoyed as a kid serve as such sweet memories. The things that I passed to my own children are even sweeter! These are important for sure.

Living abroad have added other fun traditions with new foods and parties galore. We needed to be present, embracing the newness of where we were geographically. That is not always as easy as it sounds. At times, I have not been very good at this.  I love to think about each year and the highlights. I will take this chance to reminisce a bit.

From Niger to the Philippines, it was a BIG change. The Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world! It starts in SeptemBER. The joke is that it is all the "cold" Brrrr months. SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER and DecemBER. In year's past, this time of the year could be challenging. Everyone has their own traditions. I tended to feel a bit out of sorts. So, we made some new traditions and carried on some others.

We have even had the privilege to pass out Operation Christmas Child boxes and giving various gifts in both Niger and the Philippines. My kids grew up packing those boxes when we lived in the states! Such fun thing for all the kids.Neat how things come full circle!

This year, with two boys off at college wanting family together has felt weightier. 

BUT that is not EVERYTHING! I used to thinks so, but these past few years,  we have enjoyed many gatherings with people we love. Both family and friends. When we are stateside, family time is so much more intentional! 

 I need to consider if all that I know is stripped away, what would be the most important thing to focus on? What brings meaning? So many friends are struggling with very hard things this year. Holidays can be tough in the midst of those things. We all have our trials and it is sometimes nice to escape them? Last year, we were treated to a trip to the states to enjoy all of the traditional American Christmas tradition.! So wonderful! We even got to ice skate. No exactly sure what I am trying to say? I guess, I do not want to hop from experience to experience and let the "seasons" dictate my focus. I want to embrace it all, Good & bad.

 This year, we are far far away again.  D & B will arrive in just a few days, I can not wait!  But then I stop and think that there are people who are missing family members and Christmas comes anyways. They are in my heart and prayers. I guess, I want to focus on the hope I have not what I feel that I don't have. What is my focus? What is the meaning of the season...of life?

At the risk of sounding cliche... the answer is JESUS, He is the reason for  the season. He IS life!  Sharing the truth that we know and rejoicing that Jesus came to give us life and life MORE abundantly is the perfect way to celebrate! "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)." JESUS, He is the Good News! The greatest gift ever!

His pleasures are forevermore! Yes, we celebrate the baby in the manger, but let's move further...he was born and that was incredibly important....he lived and he died on the cross for me personally! This Christmas season, I am finding that the joy is coming from the NOW. Who is Jesus to me NOW. He is the Risen Savior of the World! He loves me and I love Him. That is the simple fact.

So this season, I am celebrating the hope and joy of ALL Jesus means to me! He is My Light, My Gift, My Joy, My peace, My future, My delight!!  Maybe it is not snowing and I haven't felt like hanging my lights yet. All that does not really matter. 

 His will be done, His Kingdom come! In HIM I move and have my being 365 days of  the year...not just December 25. The meaning of life is crystal clear. I think that is something wonderful!