Noel. Emmanuel. Merry Christmas.

Wow, I haven't written in almost two months, and when I did it was to talk about my last trip. Since then, I've gone on another (amazing!!) trip, sola, and been wrapping up with goodbyes, not presents.

I was going to start my annual end of the year post, but I thought, why rush things, we still have the birth of our Savior to celebrate, so behold, a Christmas post.

I'm actually semi getting our house decorated for Christmas. Around Thanksgiving I put out our mini tree and the lights up. When you leave in January, it's never too soon to decorate. Christmas just don't feel like Christmas this year. Not only is it not cold or snowy, but even more so, I'm not going to be with my parents. This time last year I was anticipating their arrival. I'm not super sad to not be with them given that in less than a month we'll be together again, but it will be the first time ever to not wake on the 25th with them. Praise God for the families He's given me here at my side.

Another reason it doesn't seem like Christmas is because we haven't sung any Christmas carols at church yet this year! So, I'm counting to fit them all in tomorrow. Haha. It's been me on my own listening to a variety on youtube to get my caroling and Christmas hymns in.

One in particular hit really close to heart this year as I was listening one morning that I'm sure you know. O Holy Night in first few stanzas says:

O Holy Night

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and e'er pining

'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

I was wonderstruck when I realized what we're singing about a thrill of hope. Imagine the scenery. The Jews are living under Roman control waiting desperately for this Messiah. It was a weary world they lived in, paying taxes (can I get an Amen?) and submitting to a government you are not in agreement with? (double that Amen) Then comes this Angel to Mary saying she will give birth to a Savior! What?! That is cause for rejoicing!! 

Is it not the same today? Don't we live in a weary, weary world?? Troubles at every trouble. I mean every corner you look I see restless people. BUT. The message of hope is the same. There is hope. Because Jesus Christ is the same. Yesterday. Today. Forever, his word promises it! And he cannot change. He cannot break his promise. Look it up! Hebrews 13:8.  

This Christmas season I've had two friends I've been watching walk through terrible awful familiar situations, and in one, God healed completely. The other, God has showed his power and grace in other ways. I think of them as I write this knowing that God is sovereign in ALL things, good and bad, to receive the glory for all. While we don't always understand this side of heaven what we go through, we can be sure He doesn't allow us to go through any trial that isn't without benefit for He loves us as his children. 

With that same prayer and confidence, I enter into this next week remembering that Christ our Savior entered this world with a mission, to be God with us, teaching us (because we're so fallen and hard headed) but with patience and loving us to the cross. We too need to love our neighbors, with patience, pointing them to the cross.

Tunesday Tuesday & a little something extra.

We starting singing Christmas songs at church a few Sundays ago and while a most of them are familiar to me, there are some new ones as well. I'm sharing with you one that I instantly fell in love with, called Ven a Mi Corazón O Christo. The chorus sings: 

ven a mi corazon oh Cristo (come to my heart oh Christ)
pues en el hay lugar para ti (for in it there is room for you)

 This song reminds me that regardless of the setting we find Christ in, He is available to anyone's heart at anytime if we open ourselves up to Him. 

Setting is especially important for me to remember this Christmas season as I find myself away from home on Christmas for the first time in my life and it doesn't really 'feel like Christmas'. I say that as a phrase because what does it mean to feel like Christmas anyway?? Christmas is a date on the calendar that we set aside to celebrate the arrival, the birth of our SAVIOR. The Messiah who was has come to take the sins of the world, once and for all. This is a HUGE deal. 

So why then, does this not feel like Christmas? Yes, I see Christmas trees in Apartment lobbies, and lights in window shops. Store windows have for weeks now been advertising Felices Fiestas, or Happy Holidays,  but to me this all just says commercialism. I'm looking for the meaning of Christmas here. And don't get me wrong, I have seen signs posted around the city that say JESUS ES NAVIDAD, or JESUS IS CHRISTMAS. I have seen life size nativity sets even. Is that what defines Christmas?

Personally, growing up in the midwest, I'm missing the cold temps accompanied by snow. Missing the Starbucks Christmas cups when necessary (sorry, BA, but I'm not going to get a hot drink when it's 85 outside. Try again in July with the Christmas cups please?). Missing the long drives to work because of ice covered highways. Ha, just kidding there ;) Missing a big Christmas tree with all the presents under it and all the house decorations.

But, when I realized I was missing that last one, I scared myself.

America has so trained us and wrapped our minds to associating Christmas with the Birth of Jesus AND decorations, songs, festive things. But what happens when we strip that all away and focus solely on Jesus. Afterall, without Him, this holiday would just be another day on the calendar.

the largest nativity scene I've ever seen in the heart of downtown

snowglobes without the snow? in BA they are!

shopping malls are ready for Christmas!