Merry almost Christmas! As amazing as it would have been to be in Israel during Christmas, I decided that it would be better to come home for this one, considering that once 3rd year rolls around I'll have to be in Israel (we only get Christmas day off for a break) and because I really need some winter clothes...my 3 long sleeve shirts in Beer Sheva are getting a lot of wear.
Anyway, I've been on the road, so to speak, since 11:00 am California time on Dec 22. It is now around 5 am California time on the 24th, I've made it to Vegas, and am headed to LA then home! I should be walking in my door in less than 7 hours if flights and whatnot don't get delayed. I love traveling, don't get me wrong, but I am sooo looking forward to a warm bed to sleep in (heck, at this point, a place to lay down and stretch out would be a dream come true) and a nice shower. Travels so far have gone fairly smoothly. I got my flight in Israel switched from 10 in the morning to 1 in the morning because I got there so early, which worked out great because another guy from my class was on that flight too and we got to hang out a ton once we got to New York when we were waiting for our other flights. It was really cool to talk with him and get to know his story a little more seeing as we hadn't really gotten to know each other that well yet. He's a fellow believer, which was a total blessing to share the pure excitement to hear Christmas music glorifying our Savior and to see a Christmas tree with Bible verse ornaments on it when we got to the airport. We went out of our way to sit next to the Christmas tree as we ate lunch just because it was so great to see one! You don't have any of that kind of stuff in Beer Sheva. In the Old City there's a few Russian stores that sell Santa's and that kinda thing, but nothing like the States.
Before going to Israel, I was a little disgusted by the way the US handles Christmas. That's not to say that I don't see problems with it now, but really, there is some palpable change this time of year, even in the airport madness and shopping frenzies. To be wished Merry Christmas by complete strangers on the plane made my day; the little bit of extra forgiveness and grace for people's rudeness because there's an understanding that we're all just trying to make it home for the holidays; hearing complete strangers sing or hum songs of such unbelievable truth, like O Holy Night, it really is a special time of year even in the midst of consumerism and whatnot. It's heartbreaking to remember that most of God's people in Israel aren't recognizing the Savior's birth, the reason that this season is so special. Of all places in the world, wouldn't it be amazing if Jesus was recognized in the land that He came to to dwell on earth? Yes, there's Christmas stuff in Bethlehem, but it's mainly tourists there, not the people of the land. I don't know, in one way I would almost take the commercialization of the Savior's birth by the people of Israel rather than their fully ignoring it.
Well, merry Christmas everyone, enjoy your time wherever you are and with whoever's around you. Celebrate the Savior's birth, and pray that those who do not yet acknowledge His Lordship, will recognize Him for who He is.
