-by Carmon Drumm
During the holiday season you hear about the “magic of Christmas” regularly. Sure it’s colorful, it’s jolly, the layers of clothes are fun, and it’s exciting when we get to buy great gifts for people we love. Is that the magic of it, though? If the “magic” is based on the grandeur of our children’s imaginations during this time of the year, than doesn’t that make the magic just as much of an illusion as the Santa community at the North Pole?
During the holiday season you hear about the “magic of Christmas” regularly. Sure it’s colorful, it’s jolly, the layers of clothes are fun, and it’s exciting when we get to buy great gifts for people we love. Is that the magic of it, though? If the “magic” is based on the grandeur of our children’s imaginations during this time of the year, than doesn’t that make the magic just as much of an illusion as the Santa community at the North Pole?
Recently, during my walk to school, I happened to play a song
that was on a friend’s Facebook post. “That’s Christmas To Me”- Pentatonix.
During the music video, it showed a home video from each artist’s family
Christmases. It made me smile, and all of a sudden, my chest was filled with a
familiar warmth. It surprised me how
literal this “warm feeling” was. I reflected on this and wondered how I could
possibly ever explain it to my Japanese coworkers, students, or friends. How
can I explain to another culture what Christmas Spirit is?
I can’t adequately put it in English, much less find a
Japanese equivalent. I’m not surrounded by Christmas lights, commercials,
songs, sales, Santas, etc. but yet I felt that strong emotion. So obviously
Christmas Spirit, is not based on those things. To try to use those things to
describe it would be inadequate. And then I realized, THIS is the “magic” of
Christmas. It is the indescribable warmth we get from years of sweet memories.
Memories of when our own imaginations were free to believe in red nosed
reindeers, of times we received moving gifts, or when we surprised someone else
with a thoughtful gift. Memories of comfort food and the people we feasted
with. All of these things, shared with people we LOVE.
This isn’t something that can be taught or explained. It’s
about experience. Yes, I can describe it, but the Japanese would never really
know it. In childhood they get to experience some of the mystery of Santa, but
for the most part, Christmas fills them with romance. It is not a holiday about
faith or family, but of partnership and romantic reflection.
I’m so thankful that isn’t the case for me. I’m so thankful
that the magic of Christmas is the mystery of Jesus’ birth, the celebration of the gift He is to us, and the excitement
that He will come again. I’m so thankful that the magic of Christmas, is the
warmth that pours into my body from the compilation of memories of moments
spent in love with my family.
This year, we spent Christmas at our church missionary’s
house. A group of 12 of us (Japanese, Canadian, and American) enjoyed a family
style Christmas together. It was awesome to create this Christmas memory with
other Japanese believers. Twice in the day this song came on and I couldn’t
help the tears that fell from missing my family in the States. But I wouldn’t have spent it in any other
way. I’ll never forget my last Christmas in Japan with the family I've built here. Thanks be to God! I am so blessed.
メリークリスマス!
(Merry Christmas)
