Join me for a story from our first year living in Japan. I wrote this post for Planting Roots: Strength to Thrive in Military Life, but the content can apply to every family!
We may be wearing flip-flops and eating with chop-sticks, but it’s still Christmas!
“I miss Virginia—my friends and our house.” Seems like I heard this comment sighed from the lips of one of my children every few days.
It is 2007 and our family is still adjusting to life in Japan.
The weather is humid and unseasonably warm for December, even for Okinawa. Though we are excited to be living in a different country, the reality of the transition isn’t easy.
It doesn’t feel like Christmas, but the calendar begins the countdown of December days. My ten-year-old bursts through the front door with a wail, “Mom, I heard they are not getting any Christmas trees at the store on base this Christmas! Something happened to the shipment!”
Normally this news would not be a big deal, but this year is different.
There’s no place like home.
This year we are still getting settled in unfamiliar territory, and this year Dad is deploying right after Christmas. With a 4,000-pound weight limit for household goods, Christmas decorations didn’t make the packing list. We assumed we could buy a tree in Japan.
The ache of unfamiliarity hangs heavy. This is our first move with teenagers who have an iron grip on their friends “back home.” Our cement-block-typhoon-ready base house doesn’t yet look or feel like home. Not having a Christmas tree isn’t going to help anyone feel we are “home” for the holidays.
A few days later, my friend Cathy asks my girl, “What do you want for Christmas?”
My heart sinks as my daughter responds with a telltale tremor in her voice, “All I want is a Christmas tree.”
I worry about how to make Christmas special in a new place so far from family. Prayerfully I ask God, “Please help my kids get settled. How can I make this place feel like home this Christmas?”
Celebrating Christmas in New Places
[tweetthis]The heart of Christmas is not in the decorations and festivities.[/tweetthis] Yet there is a certain feel to the atmosphere and ambiance that we have become accustomed to. Balmy beach days don’t feel like Christmas when we are used to the crisp, cold air of Virginia. My kids lament Facebook posts showing it is already snowing “back home,” even as we are heading to the beach for the afternoon.
It just doesn’t seem like Christmas…
The cherished rituals of celebrating Christmas are not limited to decorations or addresses. Even before Christmas arrives, the familiar routines of baking cookies and practicing for the school concerts are getting us in a more positive outlook.
I talk with my kids about how Christmas will be a little different this year, “but we can enjoy exploring new places and customs.” Sipping hot cocoa one afternoon, my youngest is cutting out snowflakes as we chat about the true meaning of Christmas.
I think I’m making headway with the whole Christmas-in-a-new-place thing.
“The baby Jesus is the most important thing about Christmas,” this sweet one chirps as she snips bits of white paper that litter the floor.
“But I still want a Christmas tree.”
“It won’t feel Christmas-y without one.”
I take a deep breath and put on my peppiest Mom voice, “We don’t need a tree, we will still celebrate Christmas with many of our family traditions we enjoy each year. Maybe you don’t feel like this place is home yet, but we can make a home for Christ in our hearts wherever we go.”
[tweetthis]Traditions help build strong families.[/tweetthis]
As December days pass, each one bringing us closer to Christmas, we enjoy many of the things we usually do at Christmas—some festive and others sacred.
Until this move, I have never considered the power of family traditions to help create continuity in the midst of changes and transitions of life.
Read the rest of the story and a practical list of 50 ways to celebrate Christmas here.
Christmas comes in the midst of life as it is. This particular Christmas for our family was a blessing despite the adjustments we all faced. The next year, 2008, I faced a much more significant challenge. If you are grieving loss this year, I hope this post will encourage you.
What unexpected blessings have you found when your face challenges at Christmas? How have traditions strengthened your family?
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So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Ginger, I see you’re in Japan and living the life of a military wife! After you commented on my post (from Inspire Me Monday) I came over to see yours. Our oldest son, just retired from the military 2 years ago. He and his wife lived about 2-3 years outside of Tokyo where he served in the army. They ended up in Virginia where he worked with VP Biden in White House Communications. After he retired they moved to TX and he’s working for a government contractor. They blessed us with 2 grandchildren and I was able to go and visit them in Japan three times. They loved living there. Before coming back to the States they traveled to Okinowa. Maybe you can find some branches and put together a tiny Charlie Brown tree.
I’m sure your son had some amazing experiences living near Tokyo! I know you are proud of the way your son has served our country. I loved reading about your family. Thanks so much for sharing. You have a lovely blog and it was fun to visit you!
In Girl Meets Change, Kristen Strong talks about traditions help with transitions. It’s so true, as you’re experiencing. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
We recently had Kristen Strong blog for us at Planting Roots. It is true that traditions weave a thread of continuity and love through the years. Every time we decorate Christmas cookies I cherish memories of doing that activity with my mom. Thanks for visiting today, Kristin, and have a merry Christmas!
Ginger – I appreciate your beautiful thoughts on traditions at Christmas – and your advice: “we can make a home for Christ in our hearts wherever we go”. It sounds like you have blessed your family with rich traditions and faith – true gifts. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Sandra. I hope you have a Christmas filled with faith and love. I’m so glad we have such blessings to celebrate in the birth of Christ!