December 24, 2012
Benefits of Being a Missionary at Christmas
In an effort to "think on these things" which are lovely, we have come up
with a few reasons it’s not so bad to be far from the familiar during the holiday season.
1. DECOR. Our
less-than-spectacular Christmas decorations seem really festive here. Few homes use more than an outdoor manger scene, so rather than seem
like we’re the Charlie-Brown wannabes, our 3 strands of lights and stockings on
the mantle seem really decorative. I don’t have the gift of artistic design, so this "Your-place-looks-really-Christmasy" compliment is new for me.
2. EXPECTATIONS. There isn't the
pressure to give a gift to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, or endure the awkward “Oops,
I don’t have anything for you” moment when you receive one unexpectedly. I know we all say it doesn’t work that way,
but let's face it. It’s uncomfortable to
receive without giving in return.
I like
giving gifts, but I don’t like the feeling that I'm obligated to give, and I get stuck in determining the social correctness of giving to the mailman and the ballet teacher and all the neighbors and church friends and work friends and school friends and, well, you know.
What is expected here is a bit of time—time to eat with extended family at the meal just before midnight
Christmas Eve, and then time greeting your neighbors when the clock strikes 12,
to wish them a Merry Christmas. That's pretty much it.
3. HEAT. I grew up near Charleston, South Carolina, where a white Christmas was not the norm. We got one snow every couple of years, usually in January or February. The end of December could be in the 80’s or it could be freezing. I have memories of both extremes.
Here, you know it’s going to be hot, so there’s no praying for snow. The activity associated with Christmas Day is not dressing up Frosty in the back yard, but swimming. In the country, they take a dip in the closest stream or pond, but here in town, the motels let you pay for access to their pools. And since it’s hot, watermelon is the food that replaces the ridiculously overpriced imported turkeys.
4. GIFT WRAPPING. Practically all
stores, including supermarkets and pharmacies, have their own gift
wrapping. Free. All year long. When occasions roll around, it’s like our
good friend Megamind reminds us, presentation is everything. So the nice gals at customer service are at
the ready to be sure you have the appropriate wrapping paper (they are VERY
picky about this!) and sparkly bow, so you can gift with class.
I think this may stem from the fact that often, it’s uncouth to identify yourself as the giver
of a gift. All gifts are piled together,
then the recipient opens them without a clue as to where they came from. Well, if the person receiving the gift isn’t
going to know you bought it, you may as well arrive at the event with a flashy package
in tow!
 |
| All dressed up for the end-of-the-year youth supper |
5. LESS STRESS. There are so many
less activities that the famous December 26 crash doesn’t exist. If you look really hard, you may find a
Christmas play or a musical being presented, but not many. End-of-the-year parties are hosted by larger companies or civic/political groups, but that's about it.
Santa pictures at
the mall, neighborhood caroling, baked goods to contribute to the class party, costume-making
and play practice--none of that makes it to our monthly schedule here. It’s a pretty laid-back time, although, for the record, we do still miss the events I just listed. But the relaxed mode makes it much easier to focus on simple family traditions and not feel totally frazzled.
Not everyone has the ideal Christmas every year. What positive things stand out in your Christmas season this year?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Merry Christmas season to your family!
ReplyDeleteWe are missionaries to Mozambique. My parents visiting is our Christmas gift this year. Christmas is much simpler away from the lure of the States and its commercialism.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift!
DeleteThis year, I made the kids think out of the toy box for non-material gifts they would like to receive and made them include those non-material gifts on their wish list. Then I made up fancy "gift cards" for them to write out their non-material gift to everyone else in the family and stuff them in the stockings as Santa's helpers. It worked out better than I thought it would.
ReplyDeleteA Belated Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! May God bless you in the coming year!
I LOVE that idea!! I'm sure y'all came up with some really creative things to include. :) Blessing to your family this year, too.
Delete