*Christmas*

It is officially December, so Christmas is officially close enough for the normal person to celebrate. (As opposed to un-normal, like department store people, and fashion designers.) Part of me is thrilled at this, and is planning what gifts to give, how to decorate, and whether or not to make eggnog. Another part is pretty out of sorts. I suppose this is understandable, it being on average over eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Still, so many of my home traditions seem to have made it to my little South American corner of the world. Some make sense, but some just may surprise you.
The sixteenth of November began as a normal Sunday. I dressed, got a ride to church, then sat down and pulled out my little green hymnbook. I found the assigned page, and sat back to wait for the meeting to start. After the introductions, the chorister stood up and the congregation launched into a Spanish rendition of ''Joy to the World.'' I was not expecting that in the least! For me, Thanksgiving was always the start of the Christmas celebration. Before that last Thursday in November however, Christmas was only to be mentioned in passing. Sure, you could whistle Jingle Bells under your breath, but we never had a group as large as a church congregation singing ''Silent Night'' until after Thanksgiving! I was shocked, to be sure. After the song, I asked a girl why we were singing Christmas songs so early, and she told me that they always sing them, even in August! I guess starting the Christmas celebration after Thanksgiving makes no sense to people who don’t celebrate the United States Thanksgiving.
Not soon after, the billboards and storefronts started gearing up. Thirty foot signs depict Santa quenching his thirst with a Coke, and plastic Christmas trees squat in every available grocery store corner. Cotton snow and paper snowflakes are stuck to windows, and holiday getaways are being advertised in the newspapers. There are even Santas with white beards holding children on their laps at the entrances of grocery stores. The Christmas spirit is definitely growing as we begin the last December of 2008.
You’re probably seeing much of the same things if you’re in the States. The only difference is that they seem to fit so much better there to me. I break out in a sweat just looking at the poor man in a fuzzy red suit standing out in the full sunshine while the rest of the world is wearing shorts. The plastic pines look alien next to the ever-green mangos and palms. I love the spirit associated with these traditional decorations, but my body and brain are so confused by the contrasts. If I were to choose a Christmas tree from my yard, I would decorate the lemon tree. I would paint Papa Noel in swim trucks and a white tank top. I would have a Christmas pool party and retape the song so it sang ‘’I’m dreaming of a tan Christmas.’’ All of this is me not adjusting to my environment. Shame on me. I came with preconceptions; I couldn’t help it. I thought my Christmas would be insanely different, and now that so much appears the same, I’m just plain out of whack.
There are some differences, thank goodness. My mother says she doesn’t know any Christmas carols. The majority of the celebrating is done on Christmas Eve. Presents are opened after the midnight mass of Christmas Eve, then for Christmas itself, people are said to sleep and relax. Those are all different concepts to me, and I’m thankful for them. If things were too much like home, I might open up to the ever-knocking homesickness. By keeping my distance from what I’m used to, I can enjoy my new experiences. Perhaps it’s slightly twisted logic, but it seems to be working. I’m meshing my two worlds into one colorful hammock of reds and greens and tinsels and pine boughs. When Christmas arrives, I will be content to swing in my two worlds, and love both of them. The majority of my holidays are still based around family--that won't change. There will still be presents and jokes and food. Even some of the superficial is the same.
It’s December, so go celebrate. Whatever you're doing this holiday season, I hope you're enjoying it. It’s a time to be happy. So please, please be happy. Happy Holidays.