Merry Christmas from Thailand

As an American celebrating Christmas in a foreign country, it’s a unique experience.  Visiting Thailand, I do see some Christmas decorations in the malls.  Aluminum Christmas trees of all sizes and colors.  I hear the traditional Christmas music (in English) playing over the speakers in the malls.  So yes, there’s a nod to “Christmas” in Thailand.  But that’s about it.  There’s no Christmas vibe, though.  Usually at this time of year you can tell when people are excitedly shopping for Christmas presents for their loved ones.  

And when I drive away from the malls, there are no houses decorated with Christmas lights. Outside of the mall and its commercialized nod to Christmas, you would never know it’s Christmas time here.  And of course, the hot and humid weather with bright sunny days is about as far away from a winter wonderland as you can get.  Though I admit, I am from the southwest part of America where there was little to no snow (unless you drove up into the mountains to get your snow-fix).

But you know what? Having that lack of traditional Christmas visuals really helps me focus on what Christmas is really all about.  Take away the Christmas lights, the trees, the music, and all the decorations.  Take away the frenzied shopping for “stuff.” Yes, take away the presents.  Strip it all away and what does that leave you? The little baby Jesus who was born into this world to be our savior and save us sinners.  And what a gift that is – the ultimate gift to all of us.  That’s what Christmas is all about, plain and simple. Powerful and glorious.  

The animated Christmas TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, really did summarize what the true meaning of Christmas is when Charlie Brown asked that question and Linus responded with reciting from Luke chapter two in the Bible which tells the story of Jesus’ birth.

• Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:4-18)

• {The angel said to Joseph}, she will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)


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