Signs

It' s December.

I don't need a huge imagination to know what that looks like in America. 

This morning as we were eating breakfast, I pulled up one of those Christmasy play lists. It naturally was accompanied by wintery Christmas scenes. I felt a pang of homesickness. The softly falling snow. The brightly shining strands of Christmas lights. The immensely huge village center Christmas tree. I almost booked myself a flight to Ohio.

But, common sense, of course, kicked in.

Living in a country where Christmas is NOT a national holiday can be quite disconcerting.

My first year, I had a seasoned missionary give me some advice concerning the Christmas holiday. She told me to LIE. 

What?

No, not LIE.

L-Y-E

Lower Your Expectations.

It's just not the same.

Christmas is such a big part of American culture.

I've been told that at one point Taiwanese Christians asked for Christmas to become a national holiday. The government considered, but quickly realized if they made a national holiday for the birthday of the Christians' God, then all the other gods' followers would want their god's birthday to be a national holiday as well.

So, unlike America, Christmas is truly a religious holiday.

That being said....

It's December....

And it's beginning to look like Christmas even here in my little corner of the world.

The first sign appeared almost magically. It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This tree was not there when I walked through the atrium on my way to my classroom. By lunch time, there it was! Perhaps the school employed some elves.

Then came this display, perhaps the most Christmasy thing I have seen while living here! Thanks to Hola, an asian version of Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Next weekend is the school's second annual Christmas Bazaar and Hola wanted to get a head start! It makes me feel like I'm in an American mall doing some last minute shopping.

Saturday, I paused from lesson planning to set out my beloved snowman collection, a sure sign that I am getting into the holiday spirit. This will be the only "snow" I experience this December.

Another sure sign of the things to come was the first Sunday of Advent this morning at church. Done in English, with Chinese subtitles, I love that three nationalities were represented.

Not to be out done by the school's huge tree, I set up this little thing in my classroom this afternoon. Tomorrow each student will get to hang an ornament. Many of their families do not celebrate Christmas, so this will be a treat!

And in anticipation of all the Dingi family being together this Christmas, the stockings were hung. 

No fireplaces in our apartments, so the kitchen island has to do.

The most festive sign however is outside.

That's our building and for the first time in the three years we have lived on campus, everyone in our tower has decorated their balcony! It's a beautiful sight. I will add that balconies are much easier to string lights onto than a two story roof. And no hats, mittens, or coats were required in the process.

And, yes. That is the moon. How nice of it to be at the right place at the right time!

Christmas is coming.

Very few in Taiwan understand the significance,

But, that's why we are here!

Merry Christmas!