Sunday, December 21, 2008

"Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat..."

Wait...Christmas? Are you serious?

And honestly - what geese?! Let's talk pollo y frijoles here...:-)

So - it's Christmas on Thursday, which we can't believe! It doesn't feel like the Christmas season to those of us in Spain. We're all used to seeing lights, decorations and Christmas trees everywhere, hearing Christmas music, smelling the delicious Christmas cookies baking, and then experiencing the joy of tasting all the Christmas treats. We are experiencing a little of what we have every other year of our life, but not nearly as much we would be if we were in the States. Because of the lack of this familiarity, it's hard for us to believe it's so soon... We also can't help but realize that our Christmas this year will be quite different from anything any of us have experienced before.

However, as we were discussing this change we were swiftly reminded that those things are not the true reason for Christmas. The true reason, is a manger, a baby, a star, and a promise. Miracles and signs. Angels, shepherds and wisemen. (Luke 2:1-20.) Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate. Jesus Christ is the reason we sing songs like "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night". While we will definitely think back fondly on memories of Christmas's past, of the traditions and routines that I am sure we all have, we, as a team, are excited that we have the opportunity to focus on the true reason for the season.

During our first Christmas away from home, we will be going to a house in the country, from Wednesday to Saturday. It will be the four of us, Antonio & Irma's family of 4, as well as 3 of their closest friends, and on Christmas morning, we will welcome more friends from the church. We will be disconnected from the world, where we will just spend time together. No internet, no phone and no television. Just us, the beautiful countryside, friends and family. And all the time in the world.

It will be different, but it will be good.

To those parents who would like to get ahold of us on Christmas morning, (which, PLEASE do call us...PLEASE!!) you can call our cell phone (incoming calls are free for us - unfortunately it might cost you all a little....) The number is as follows... 011 (thats the code to dial OUT of the states.) 34 (thats the country code for spain) 645 411 204 (that's Beth's cell). Also, in case you weren't quite yet used to the time difference, we here in Spain are 6 hours ahead of you. Therefore, we will be available YOUR TIME from when you get up, to approximately 6-7PM. That puts us at 1am...on a rare occasion Beth and Melanie will still be up..:-)

For now, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. We may be apart from you this Christmas, and we will miss you all, a lot. But as you think of us, take time to also remember the true meaning of Christmas, and the gift that was given to us that morning so long ago in Bethlehem. We will be doing the same thing, from across the ocean. Feliz Navidad y Dios te bendiga!

The Spain Team

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