My Christmas In Peru

Many have asked me about my first Christmas here in Peru, and often I ask myself "Was it actually Christmas?", because I never had the "Christmas feeling." But the date gave it away and convinced me otherwise. Sure there were Christmas trees, Christmas lights and decorations all around, but it just seemed different. Maybe it was the Christmas carols in Spanish that I wasn't used to, or maybe it was the heat instead of cold, but nonetheless it did seem like a holiday. For me it was a great reminder of a holiday celebrating the birth of greatest Missionary who stepped out of a throne of comfort, glory and perfection to come down to this dirty world, and give people hope, peace, and light for the darkness in which we live.

On "Christmas Eve Eve" (the 23rd) or "Christmas Adam" as I recently heard, the students and teachers at the language school had a Christmas party, where we shared different traditional food from our different countries, as well as explained some of our traditions during the Christmas season. Thanks to a good friend, I had a recipe for Egg Nog, which is one of my favorite Christmas tastes!!!!

Peru does celebrate Christmas differently than the States, but the traditions were fun. December 24th is the day they celebrate Christmas. A family tradition is to have the HUGE Christmas dinner at midnight of the 24th, and close to midnight many people set off fireworks so there are a lot of people outside watching, then afterwards is the big moment of opening presents. Then the sleep follows (since it is very late!)

As far as my Christmas, the church I have been going to in Arequipa had a service on Christmas Eve. I joined one of my Peruvian friends in playing a flute duet at the service. We played "The First Noel" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (and I honestly couldn't tell you what the lyrics are in Spanish, but these songs are sung here as well).

I returned back to my home, and was a bit relieved to find out we were going to eat the huge dinner at 11:00 PM instead of midnight. But what a meal it was! Traditionally they eat turkey, a variety of different salads, and applesauce. It was quite good!!! We did go out and watch the fireworks, and came back in afterwards to open presents and wish each other a Feliz Navidad!! A beautiful part of opening presents is that as each gift is received, a hug and kiss on the cheek plus a "gracias" (thank you) is given before the present is opened. After the presents were opened, we partook in the traditional hot chocolate, which is homemade, and has of course chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, and other YUMMY stuff. (I think it is needless to say that in other countries, like the States, the Christmas season is also the most fattening time of the year!)

Here is a picture of me with my Peruvian family:
On Christmas day I was able to sleep in. My church didn't meet since we met the night before, and like I mentioned, although it did feel like a holiday, it didn't quite feel like Christmas, but no matter...it was!! I was invited to join a few other Americans for Christmas dinner, so it was nice to celebrate Christmas here with a little of both traditions from both countries. The afternoon was consumed of me talking to my family back home, which was really special.

I think the Lord has prepared me for the holidays away from home by working in a hospital for the past few years and missing out. But it does make me treasure the memories and look forward to the future times of celebrating with family and friends back home. This may only be my first Christmas here, but I do hope and intend to bring some of these new traditions that I have learned from Peru into my future Christmases.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!