Christmas is a new sort of idea in China – and one that
they don’t completely understand. For
instance, my school was decorated for Christmas complete with cutouts of Santa,
Snow White, and the Seven Dwarves... yeah… The major stores around my home also
put up their version of Christmas decorations complete with snowmen, stars, santas,
and signs wishing us all a “Xmar Happy”!
Still, I was taken by surprise that they would put up signs at all!
I was a little disappointed when I told that I had to work
on Christmas Eve, Christmas, my birthday (New Year’s Eve), and New Year’s
Day! That’s what happens when you teach
on weekends in a country like China. However,
I did experience a great deal of joy in teaching all of my students to say “Merry
Christmas” and to sing what they call “The Christmas Song” also known as the
chorus to “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.
You cannot help but smile when a
cute, little Chinese girl with pigtails and twelve layers of clothing on comes
up, hugs you, and says “Meddy Chrisme!”
On Christmas morning, however, Aston put on a Christmas “Pageant”
of sorts complete with drama and musical performances by students, a paid
magician, and a dance done by yours truly (and some other teachers) to Justin
Bieber’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. When I woke up on Christmas morning, donned a
blue sequined mini dress, and got into a cab headed towards a theater to
perform in front of hundreds of students and their parents, I knew it was going
to be a memorable day. I took tons of pictures and some video too, which I'll try and post at some point. While this day was completely
different from any other Christmas I’ve ever had, it was actually a lot of fun!
After we taught our afternoon classes, the other foreign
teachers and I gathered in one of the teacher’s apartment and reminisced about
Christmas pasts. I had struggled with
feeling homesick all weekend, but this definitely was the apex of my
emotions. The five of us sat around a little faux tree,
drinking mulled wine, listening to the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge sing “Once
in Royal David’s City, while I read from Luke, chapter two. That was when it really hit me. I am so incredibly blessed to know the real
reason we celebrate Christmas, something that my students, sadly, do not
understand. I am also so blessed by
having a family who loves me and misses me just as much as I love and miss
them!
It was a joy to be able to skype with them this morning and
to receive my own little Christmas miracle: a package of presents and a
stocking all the way from Tempe, Arizona!
To all my wonderful friends and family who have supported me
on my journey that has lead me to the other side of the world, thank you! I love and miss you all!
Merry Christmas!
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness on them has light shined...For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
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