Christmas in Israel?

Yes, that is a question, not a statement. Compared to the States – the ultra-Christmas capital of the world – Christmas in Israel is a definite culture shock.  Not that I prefer the ultra-Christmas culture.  I would actually like a happy medium between the States and Israel.  I don’t like all the pressure that the ultra-Christmas commercialization puts on people. But on the other hand, I didn’t see one thing in the last couple of weeks here in Jerusalem that reminded me that it was the jolly yuletide season.  Seriously….not one thing. Christmas, to me, is a time for special memories, for being with family, for baking cookies and fudge, for singing carols, for putting jig-saw puzzles together, for sleeping in the living room with the grandkids, for drinking hot chocolate and assembling gingerbread houses.  Without family, Christmas loses its significance.  Hopefully we all know that Yeshua wasn’t actually born on December 25th.  I truly believe He was born during Succot (Feast of Tabernacles) in early October, and that’s when I focus on the holy, magnificent, uncreated God being born as a helpless, tiny baby placed in an animal feeding trough. (What love….)

Christmas is family.  Precious family times.  We enjoy it to the max.  Well….this year was quite different. Our family is in three different countries this year:  U.S., Belgium, and Israel.  There’s something about waking up on Christmas morning and not having my grandbabies around that I greatly dislike.  It’s just not right.  I think we’ve all decided that next year will be different.  If at all possible we will make every effort to be together next year.  It’s just not right.  Have I said that before?!

I found out too late that we could have gotten a small, live Christmas tree at the Jaffa Gate a few days before Christmas. They were handing them out free to Christian residents of the city! How sweet of the Jewish National Fund! But, alas, we were not on the receiving end of one.  This is what our Christmas table looked like.

Here is Preston holding his loot, along with his stocking candy beside him.

And, actually, these people are responsible for me not crying all day!  They took my mind off the fact that I wasn’t with all my family! This is us having breakfast.

This was our entertainment for the day.  We skyped with Destiny, Jonathan, Lyric, and Shiloh.  We watched as they unwrapped all their gifts.  How fun!  What would we do without technology?  It felt almost like we were sitting in the living room with them!

Here’s what we were looking at:

Then later in the day, we skyped with family in Dallas. Courtney and Nathan and kids had just gotten up, so we watched as they opened presents, also!  It really was amazing.

The computer was in the kitchen window, because we were busy cooking Christmas shabbat dinner.

The Santa was a new addition this year.  Uncle Austin handed out the gifts that he brought from the North Pole. (What?!!! I can’t believe I just wrote that!)

We went all out on Christmas shabbat dinner.  Turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, squash casserole, challah, pumpkin bread, lemon/orange cake, and oatmeal cookies.  Yum!

Even through all the changes of the last several years, I can speak for our whole family that the center of our world is undeniably Yeshua, our Rock, our Fortress, our safe Refuge.  He is the One we run to. He causes us to embrace this season of being apart with the joy and promise of what’s ahead.  We look to that day with great anticipation!  Thank you, Yeshua, for your promises. And we especially thank you for your grace that upholds us during these times.  We love you!