Preparations for Christmas

The holiday season has already proven to be quite different here in Panama. I'm not talking about local traditions, but my own view and preparation of the holidays. My shopping, rushing, eating, etc. and the lack of commercialization of the holiday.

In the states, I hear a lot of talk about eating too much over the holidays. In Panama, I've heard no one talk about that or about how after the holidays they will begin their diet. Eating seems to be going on at it's normal pace here in Panama. No extra goodies everywhere and people trying to avoid them. I kind of miss all the yummy stuff!

In the states, people are rushing around stressed out and thus, stressing others out. Shopping, buying, buying some more, and then buying extra in case they need more gifts. In Panama, there are gift baskets in stores. They are small ones and include such things as a box of cereal, toilet paper, and beans and rice. Nothing extravagant, but what a gift of necessity. I have seen an increase in shopping, but not an increase in rudeness or stress. And I haven't seen an increase in rushing. I'm not sure that Panamanians rush anytime, and I think, for the most part, that is a good thing.

We haven't seen people climbing ladders to hang Christmas lights and put up extreme house decorations. In fact, we have only seen a handful of Christmas lights up here in El Valle. However, we did see our neighbor climbing a ladder into a pine tree to cut limbs to make his Christmas tree. It is now beautifully put together up on his front porch with moss (hand-picked) underneath with a nativity scene.

In some ways, it doesn't feel like Christmas here. However, as I look around, I somehow feel like this helps me focus on what Christmas is really all about because commercialized distractions have been removed. I can remember that this a celebration of the birth of my Savior. A time to reflect on the love of the Father who sent his only son to be born into a people who would ultimately reject and kill him. A time to focus on the other great gifts that the Father has given me. And a time to share the Father's love with those around me.