Christmas

...Is not the same.

I know Christmas isn't a 'feeling', but sometimes feelin' it really helps with the reminder of the season. And, in our case, we are indeed feelin' something, but it's not the same. And sometimes changes are hard to take, even thought they aren't bad. Being dropped in another culture often leads to learning more about your own culture more than the culture you're living in (because, in reality, you will never get it, and especially so in a matter of a few short months).

One thing that I've enjoyed about this season here is the lack of propaganda and the lack of excess spilling out from under a tree. Emphasis of Christmas here is spent on family and food... Traditional foods that take much labour and love to make, and this labour is dispersed between all those who are free the day before Christmas Eve to help prep the food together. These helpers range from the grandkids to grandma. And, in our case, the neighbors too. The cost of family gatherings is dispersed between all families attending, too. The labour is shared, the cost is shared, and the meal is shared together in the Grand Day. And that's where the emphasis is. Sharing, as a family, for the celebration of Christ.
Kind of nice, eh?

In Canada I'm often left with the thought that Christmas is so stressful, and especially so for mothers. It seems that the 'joy of the season' is theirs to deliver. Along with a roasted bird, beautifully wrapped presents, a clean home, Christmas music.... Don't 'they say' that Christmas time is something like the most depressing time of the year? And January is the month that people carry the most debt? I know this isn't an original thought, but is this the way to celebrate freedom?


Yes we live in cultural contexts, and adherence to traditions isn't a bad thing. But isn't it a true shame, waste, and downright evil thing when Christmas is a time that is dreaded, depressing, and debt-inducing?

Yes, this season has been a bit heartbreaking for us, but beautiful lessons often arise from 'hardships'. And although we're only going to be in CR for a short while, I can image that this Christmas season will impact all of those to come for us.