That Christmas Feeling?

t's almost midnight and I'm in my room here in Cambodia surrounded by suitcases and backpacks as I (attempt) to finish packing so I can get on a plane headed to India10 hours from now! There is SO MUCH to be said about the whole India journey from the very beginning up until right now but it'll just have to wait for another blog because I have something else on my mind tonight....

I live in Cambodia, I've been here for 19 months now and this is my second consecutive Christmas season spent outside the United States.  And, tonight, as I'm sweating, wearing shorts, enjoying ripe mangoes...I've been thinking about what Christmas looks like in America and how very different it is from here.

Don't get me wrong, I've watched Elf, listened to Christmas music and even had a few hot chocolates this month but, that didn't make it 'feel' like Christmas.

Tonight my good friend Sara in Missouri called me so I could see the snow that had fallen overnight, we talked about Christmas gifts she and her roommates had exchanged and she told me about the new "Ninjabread" cookies she'll be making this week. But, still, it didn't "feel" like Christmas...

I keep needing to remind myself that next Tuesday is actually Christmas day. That one of the main reasons this team is going to India now is because it is Christmas and we want to share that with orphans and lepers! And then, I remember.

Christmas is not only about climate, food or traditions.  These are all certainly wonderful parts of the season (whether your food of choice is mangoes or candy canes) but they are not what any of us should be looking to in order for us to know that it is Christmas.

It is Christmas because Jesus came to the earth to show us His Father's great love for us!

It is Christmas because God is still alive and active today!

It is Christmas because His life has transformed mine!

It is Christmas because God has made a way for all mankind to be reconciled with Him, brought back into good relationship with Him!

It is Christmas because His presence will never leave us!

It is Christmas because of Him..... And that is more than enough for me to "feel" like it is Christmas.

I'm so grateful that He has led me to a place where I can so clearly why we celebrate, a place where all the noise and clutter of what we so often confuse to be Christmas is gone and I simply be with Him and know it is time to celebrate who He is.

2010-I celebrated Him with the Bailey family in Kansas City, we watched the Polar Express, ate Christmas cookies, drank hot chocolate, feasted on yummy food and exchanged gifts.... It was one of the sweetest days I've ever spent and I know Jesus loved it!

2011-I celebrated Him with two amazing families who had left the comforts of their homes in America and Singapore to come love on some Khmer kiddos! We watched Elf, ate Kentucky Fried Chicken, went on a boat ride with 25 orphans and ended up at giant church service (which we were all very under-dressed for after our boat ride!).  One of the most fun and spontaneous days I've ever spent and I know Jesus was laughing with us!

2012-I will be in India! A country I've never been to with a few people I know and many others I'll meet so soon! We will worship with some orphans, share a meal of chicken biriyani and spend many hours traveling to and from the orphanage in a van.  Jesus will be celebrated.

Whatever your Christmas looks or feels like this year be sure to take some time to celebrate Jesus, who he is and what He's done.....