It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
“You know what I could go for right now? Some crispy bacon!”
“Oh my gosh, I know me too.”
Normally walking past this unmistakably loud, overly enthusiastic American interchange, in the midst of a crowded international hub would make me slightly cringe as I would cling tightly to my Australian half and passport but not today.
It might sound like a welcome change to be in a hot climate in the middle of the Christmas season but let it be said, for better or for worse; no one does Christmas quite like the USA. Seeing as most of my Christmases have been spent there as my mom is American and being the longest holiday on the Australian calendar, as it’s summer, many of my Christmases as a child were spent there too visiting family. Not to mention all the movies and Christmas paraphernalia revolve around a white Christmas. Being in London for the lead up to Christmas is really special for me because this will be the 5th Christmas in a row of Christmas in summer. Drinking mulled wine, doing Christmas baking, ice skating and yes even eating chestnuts roasted on an open fire all seem slightly more enjoyable when the weather isn’t 30+ degrees (85+ – ish degrees F).
While these are all wonderful things about Christmas, it’s also the time of year I’m the most aware I live quite far away from most of my family. It’s the time of year you can usually count on seeing ‘everyone’. As I get older (since I’m so old and wise and all), with new nieces and nephews joining the ranks it’s especially difficult to be the ones in, the now dated, family photos that the younger kids ask about.
“Who’s that?”
“That’s your Aunt Rachel and Uncle Joel. They live far away in Australia.”
“Can we go visit?
“Yes, we have already booked the tickets.”
(That’s a hint that visitors are always welcomed and encouraged.)
In this advent season I’ve been thinking about the waiting for Jesus and reconciling myself to my neighbor and to God. There are so many things that frustrate so many about America’s international policies. I share those at times too and distance myself from this country that I called home for so many years. But just like those two Yanks in the train station, American policy, often not considering those around them as they ought, is not always representative of many Americans that I know and love. So while it’s easy to draw out the flaws in every culture, it’s more important to dwell on the positive and at Christmas time I think about America. I think God continues to reconcile me to the USA, the land of real Christmas trees, hospitality, family and yes, crispy bacon. There are many places and people in the world that I have grown to love and will continue to love but the lead up to this Christmas I will be thinking of my family and friends in the States.
Happy Advent season all and let’s all wait for Jesus the hope of the world.
Have a very Merry Christmas Rachel and Joel. You are beautiful lights in the world. Daniel would love Christmas in the summer, but I still prefer the northwest although it is quite cold right now. Blessings on you, Marla Sweeney
December 11, 2011 at 3:35 pm