A Foreign Christmas

So as Christmas has been approaching, the least I can say is that it really didn't feel like Christmas.  I have never been hot and sweaty and as tan as I am now around Christmas.  I haven't seen many decorations and those I have seen have only been a pathetic rendition of what is thought to be done in the west.  With the business of my last weeks here, I have been so pre-occupied with other things, that Christmas definitely took a back burner.  But today was Christmas Eve, and I had become determined to make it feel like a Christmas I somewhat found familiar.

The day started by teaching the Chab Dai staff in a Photography Workshop I had been asked to put together on just how to take better pictures as well as using Child Protection Policies that are put in place with our organization.  Pretty fun stuff ;)  We then actually had a Christmas party with the staff with some great Khmer food from one of the restaurants I love (thanks Aimee).  Complete with "I heart Cambodia" T-Shirts as gifts and some Christmas Hymns.

After the party I left and ran a few errands around town, including picking up the custom dress shoes I had made (such a steal you have no idea), then went home to take a nape while watching the Grinch who stole Christmas.

I then pulled out the roomates ironing board, pressed my slacks and my collared shirt, tied my tie (rolled up my sleeves due to the heat) and boarded my moto.  It was quite the site to be dressed in shirt and tie with a helmet on riding the moto, but no one seemed to take notice, as even the business men here do the same during the days.  I went with Aimee and a few others to a service at the Anglican church.  It was so nice to sing Christmas songs and just have a church service with scripture reading and fellowship. 

Then after stopping by Aimee's, then my own house to change, we headed over to some friend's Dan & Amanda, for a fun evening.  We had some snacks and sweets and drinks and basically just hung out.  We also had a little gift exchange with some pretty sweet stuff from the market.

Overall the night turned out great.  I had my apprehensions of feeling comfortable in the setting and everything, but it actually was great to hang out with other people tonight and enjoy Christmas together.  They actually all stayed the night there, but I opted to come home and sleep in my own bed, but I will be going back in the morning for more festivities.  There will definitely be some pictures coming soon.

While being in a different country than my own this Christmas, a lot has come to mind.  They typically do not do much for Christmas here.  In fact many of the Chab Dai staff even thought they were going to be working on Friday.  It's so interesting how cultures can differ so much.  Without all of the big craziness of the Holiday this year, I start to see the things that really matter.

A friend Lisa shared this small piece that she had written in her Christmas newsletter with our house group last week that I thought was really great, and wanted to pass it on, as it has somewhat become something that I have been thinking as well.

I imagine a nation groaning in anticipation for someone or something to set them free from the
great despair, oppression, and hopelessness that fill everyday life. Despite the greed and
corruption of the business and governmental leaders of the nation, the CITY is where the seat of
power is and thus, the place of greatest influence. This (as we imagine it) is where the change
should begin and the point where the rescuer should intervene. I imagine a young woman,
shunned by her community because of the shame of pregnancy before marriage… the community
doesn’t ask questions- have you been violated? What were the circumstances that led to your
situation? Do you need help?- rather, because she is poor, because she is a woman, because this
pregnancy was likely due to her own “fault,” she is regarded as insignificant. What they do not
know is that miraculously, unbelievably, the child she is carrying is GOD. And when He is born, it
is not in the CITY, it is not where He can have the most power and influence. Rather, He is born
in a rural province. The first announcement of His birth is to the neighboring rice farmers, who
barely eek out a living despite laboring day and night in their fields, because they too are
regarded as worthless to the rich and powerful of the nation. Because they had nothing to gain,
their response was simply worship- for Emmanuel, God with us, had come.
 
In some ways, I feel like I “get it” for the first time- Cambodia in all of its groanings and pain has
helped me to see the richness and wonder of what God has done for us. From my favorite
Christmas hymn: Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its
worth; a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.

Just as so many other things do now, Christmas took a different meaning for me this year.  It has been so simple, yet has been just as meaningful as so many other years, if not more.  As we sung the hymn "What Child is This", in church to this, the last verse really caught my attention.  So I want to leave you with that.  When I read the words, they hold so much power of the most incredible gift that I can't even fathom.

"So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king, to own him;
The King of kings salvation brings, 
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary."

I hope that everyone has a great Christmas and cherishes what's been given to them, from the time with friends and family you enjoy, and the King of Kings we celebrate!  Merry Christmas!