Grinchlike in Korealand
When I was in fourth grade we sang this song for the Christmas concert, and the lyrics of this song have followed me every Christmas since. Now, I am unsure if it was the drilling methods of my music teacher, or if it was a Grinch like heartgrowing exercise that has made these words follow..me however...they have. If no other reason, that my mini revelation I am sharing with you-well I suppose I see worth in humming the little ditty for over 10 years. It goes like this:
"Christmas isn't Christmas until it happens in your heart, somewhere deep inside you is where Christmas really starts. So give your heart to Jesus and discover when you do....what Christmas - really, Christmas is to you."
Christmas in Korea 2005: The adventures of understanding and making Christmas my own.
I have been spoiled. I have had Christmas in a warm little house, filled with loud and abnoxious animals and children. I have made over 1000 gingerbreadmen, and perhaps eaten 800 of them. I have set up a tree on the day of my birth for 21 years, and I have brainwashed my youinger siblings into wanted the gifts I have chosen for them. In my small foreighn abode, I am far from my loud little Milfordinan home. It hasn't felt like Christmas...until recently. It's been too quiet- perhaps a little uneventful. I mean sure, I have been known to be the only girl on mainstreet busting a move to jingle bell rock (like I already don't stand out with my white skin and red cheeks), and I have sat on myt deck during the first snow, with my partner in crime....drinking tea and wearing glowing rudolph noses. All of this is fine and dandy...but where are my doodads, jinglehoppers and flufflerooos? I am missing the point.
Growing up is something else. I realized, this year I don't have the warm up to Chritsmas that I would normally have...I work until december 23rd..today, and don't have any extra time off.. Then I began to think...why do I need a warm upto worship my savior? Do I need a warm house and 1000 gingerbreadcookies to worship my savior? I should be worshipping my Savoir daily...no warm up required. This holiday isn't about how I feel at all....its about Jesus- and honoring that baby in a manger. Christmas will not be christmas in Korea....until it happens in my heart. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to my selfish behavior~
Experiencing Christmas in Korea has grounded Christmas for me- in the complications of making my own Christmas dinner, and being "santa," I have gained a clear understanding of the simplicty that Christmas should be. Christmas, this year will include myself, a girl I don't know, my dear Lauren and my dear Nathaniel in my little apartment. We will rise Christmas morning and leave the gifts under the tree. We will go to the nearby fellowship and worship our Lord on the day of his birth. We want this. When have we ever wanted something so simple? I've pulled a grinch and given up my jinglehoppers and brainwashing games. I have exhaled..and perhaps really understand for the first time ever.
We can't make Christmas happen....we have to let it happen.
For I bring you good news of great joy to all the nations, for unto you borne this day in the city of david, is a son..a savior..a king.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home