It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Merry Christmas to all! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday back in the states. Christmas is my favorite time of year, usually lasting the entire month of December. Not only do I enjoy getting a present or two, but I love all the events and quality time spent with people I love leading up to the big day. I never thought being away for Christmas would be as difficult as I anticipated; I also never thought being in China would shed new light on the holiday.

I have always enjoyed the traditions my friends and family have held celebrating Christmas together. I loved shopping for wonderful presents for friends and family while cheery Christmas music played throughout the mall. Being merry every weekend with a full-packed month of parties and get-together's was something I always looked forward to. Being away in China I did miss all of these, but I also had the ability to step back from the holiday craziness and see Christmas from a different point of view.

For those of you who know me well, you are aware that I have a private relationship with God. I am a Christian and pray, but do not belong to a church. I do not read the bible and my knowledge of specific stories are very vague. I am not the type that prays just when I need help; I realize how fortunate I have been in my life and thank Him often. I pray for others, talk to Him like a buddy, and speak to Him in time of need. It is not that I do not care about learning more about Christianity and practicing religion, I just have not had success in finding a church that makes me feel comfortable in how I interact with the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

The reason I am telling you this about myself is because being in China stirred religious emotions inside of me that I was not aware I had. China "celebrates" Christmas, but only in the marketing sense. Every hotel, restaurant, clothing and electronic store will blare cheesy Christmas music and have heinous, cheap decorations of Santa hung everywhere. If you think English Christmas music can drive you crazy by day 24, imagine listening to Chinese Christmas music; it will drive you to absolute insanity. The Chinese do not have Christmas trees and play "Santa" with their children, but they use Christmas as a way to get people to buy gifts for themselves and others. Every store will offer deals and host sales all because "tis the season".

Being surrounded by this mockery of Christmas seemed like a huge joke to me. I am not blaming the Chinese culture for any of this; I want to make that very clear. I understand that most Chinese do not practice Christianity so I understand why they would not practice Christmas, but to make it just about the sales is disturbing.

I know you are probably wondering, "How this is any different from the American culture?", but this year I took offense to the whole ordeal. Many Chinese want to learn and imitate American culture. My belief is they see what we do in America and "celebrate" the Christmas season. Who is to say they are not correct in what they see? The blaring music, cheesy decorations, and people going mad by filling their shopping carts to ensure a fully-stocked tree on Christmas morning. There are many people in my life that remind me what Christmas REALLY means and I want to thank you so much for keeping your faith high, not only everyday, but during the Christmas season.

I think being in China has allowed me to see the ridiculousness that American's have made Christmas out to be. We have spread the message to other cultures that Christmas is about presents and the best sales at the mall. I think we all need a reminder that it is my Man upstairs' birthday so we better give Him a good shout out. Whether you are a practicing Christian or not, don't forget to say "Happy Birthday". Whether that means going to Church or praying alone. Spend time with your loving family and friends while you have the chance and give to others in need. It is really important to recognize how lucky we all are. I know Jesus would appreciate that. Merry Christmas everyone!