Christmas and Beyond

*Although this is posted a bit late, the sentiments are still the same... Happy New Year!*

      Once birthday celebrations concluded it was time to jump back into Christmas. Ever year I begin celebrating Christmas, take a week off, and than realize there is much left to do. This year was no different. My Christmas spirit was rekindled when I attended "Handel's Messiah".  It is a choral piece that portrays Jesus's life and death and is commonly performed during the holidays. It was one of the most beautiful musical pieces I have ever heard. Initially, I anticipated attending the concert alone, my friend Alyssa was singing, but was fortunate to run into some friends from Cheongju in the subway (the concert was in Seoul). I was glad to have friends for the evening. It made it a little more special. Also, the world became a bit smaller as I met someone from St. Cloud! Who would have thought.
      After the concert I returned to Cheongju ready to finish my Christmas preparations. I have prepared my cards for co-workers and students, bought my Secret Santa gift, and found some very special presents for friends. One of the things I love the most about the holiday( aside from spending time with loved ones) is finding a gift that I am probably more excited to give than the person is to receive. I have found or made many of those this year. My favorite gift is a sno-globe that I constructed.
      Looking ahead at the rest of the week, I know it will be quite different from the past twenty-two Christmases I have celebrated. This year there will be no Christmas Eve mass, movie, or dinner.  Christmas day will not begin with a family video, presents, carmel rolls, proceed to Aunt Sheila's where there will be family, food (meatballs, leftsa, snack ledge, sugar cookies, rolls, a few salads, etc.) and end with a nap in the car on the way home, perhaps a ski and a peaceful nights rest. But I am not looking at the holidays in light of what I will be missing. I know that my family will be with me in spirit and I am excited to have a community here where I can share the love with this Christmas.
       Thus, this Christmas Eve I will go to work and celebrate with my Wonderland community. After work, Natalie and I will have our own Christmas Eve. We don't have set plans (both of us are preparing for our week of vacation) but anticipate a Korean dinner, movie, packing, cleaning, and reminiscing. After a restless night of sleep, the sleep before traveling can easily be equated to that of a child excited for Santa,  I will depart for the airport with my friend Sarah. We have planned to celebrate Christmas the whole morning, with music, food and probably a lot of singing. Then, I shall board a plane to China arriving in the early afternoon. Once in China, I will be picked up my friend Greg and head to a Christmas party.
      Although my Christmas this year will be vastly different from those in the past, it will still be filled with friends, a new extended family, and gratitude for all the blessings I have had this year.
      Merry Christmas! I hope your Christmas is filled with peace and joy. That despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday, Christmas plans, shopping, family, traveling and weather.....take a deep breath and observe everything you have been blessed with this holiday season. For some of us there is a lot, for others we may have to look harder. But we all are here to celebrate another year. Be thankful for that!