Christmas

I’ve been thinking about coziness lately. For me the feeling of coziness, that feeling of being safe and warm, away from the cold, has always been associated with Christmas. I know it’s a little superficial since Jesus’ birth happened in a fairly hot climate and most historians claim that he was probably born some time in the summer. Still, coziness and Christmas have always waltzed hand-in-hand across my subconscious.

(The Advent Wreath that Chris and I made with a coat hangar and tinsel)

That’s why this really doesn’t feel like Christmas, because when there is no cold to come in from, you can’t really get cozy. Instead of “chestnuts on a roasting fire” you have “fresh pineapple on the beach” (which honestly isn’t a bad trade-off). Despite this more then subtle difference in my usually seasonal routines, the holidays haven’t been without their surprises and delights. Removed from the majority of the Christmas kitsch that can swarm around the last week of December, I was approached unexpected by a string of beautiful experiences.

The Waines aren’t exactly your traditional family, but they have one tradition that is worth keeping. On the 23rd four missionary families and us four volunteers converged for a “St. Nicholas Party.” After some team games to work up the appetite we tucked into one hearty potluck. Turkey legs, pumpkin, bean salad, sweet potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie(!), and shortbread filled our stomachs seasonally. Next followed the main event.

Everyone had drawn someone’s name about a week ago by random (sort-of). The task was to make a hand-made gift (no buying!) and present it along with a poem or song. I was blown away by the creativity of the people in that group. Everyone was rolling on the floor in laughter when fellow volunteer Chris, who has size 15 feet, was presented with a board game entitled “Bigfoot Finds A Wife”, complete with tips from Jane Austen and tasks like “practice your dance moves.” Some gifts appealed to the appetite (a cookie the size of a pizza) and others played to an inside joke or character trait of the receiver (Like a multi-shot spit-ball gun for a 10 year old). With all the songs and skits and presentations and gifts it was a full night of sharing God’s joy with one another. It was beautiful.

(Matthew covered in Christmas lights)

Christmas Eve was a seriously low-key affair. A big game of risk, a large puzzle, a refreshing swim in the ocean, and snacking on leftovers from the day before. After dinner we all piled into the Land Cruiser and bounced and swerved our way over to some good friends of the Waines, where we had a campfire complete with hotdogs and marshmallows. Singing carols around a fire under the stars with a marshmallow in one hand and a cup of mango juice in the other ain’t a bad way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas morning started with a hearty “ho-ho-ho” and Dave dressed as Santa (sort of). We all started our search for our “hobo-sacks”, evidently the Waines’ equivelent of stockings, which were hidden throughout the house. Here’s mine. It was yellow!
Another day of just relaxing around the house, playing Risk, and surfing. The evening involved some candle-light reading of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and then presents. I got a box of “Swiss Miss” Brand Hot Chocolate. The day was seasoned throughout with a good dose of carols and yummy food.

Boxing Day saw us all piling into the Land Cruiser and heading off to Bomi Lake. It is now on my list of most beautiful places I have ever been. It was a huge quarry-mine-pit excavation that has now filled in with rainwater like a giant puddle. The water is crystal clear and so refreshing. There are no people there except for a small bottling plant and some UN buildings. I scaled a nearby peak to get you this photo.

(Click for a larger version)

Some of us climbed up the dried-up waterfall across the lake. When we got to the top we stumbled into a totally new world, one that looked like it was straight out of a Dr. Suess book. There was this whole valley of soft clay so everywhere you stepped it was really bouncy. It was formed into shapes and peaks. It was gorgeous.

Altogether a completely different but still beautiful Christmas.