matt & jeannette: It's Christmastime

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope your holiday was a beautiful one celebrated with family and friends. Ours was a little different this year living in Israel. Christmas is not really celebrated in Jerusalem since Christians are a minority here, so it was a little strange to have this day that is so special to us be like any other workday for everyone else. Hanukkah was going on this past week too, so instead of bells and lights decorating the lamp posts of the streets, menorahs (or chanukkiahs) were up instead. Large chanukkiahs were also placed in nearly every major square of the city and would be lit each night of Hannukah. We anticipated this Christmas being unique since we got to spend it in the place where the first Christmas happened, but to be honest, we found ourselves missing some of the traditions we are used to this time of year - the lights, the snow, the decorations, deals at Target, Christmas music playing in all the stores, and a special dinner and gifts with family.

But, we did find ourselves surrounded with good friends that have become like family to us. It was a weekend filled with get togethers, church, games, food (we even found a ham out here - what a treat!), and fellowship with other believers. Being a minority has changed our perspective on a lot of things, but has highlighted the importance of living in community with other believers - we have found that here and are truly grateful to be experiencing life in Jerusalem with these others around us. As we spent evenings sharing stories, reminiscing on past Christmases, and looking forward to those to come, we took time to light the chanukkiah candles and also the Advent candles. We sang some Christmas hymns and reflected on the meaning of this time of year and what it means to us living here 2,000 years later. It was a great Christmas and one we won't forget - it was different than expected, but special in it's own way. To be able to live in the place where God chose to send His Son in a moment that would forever change the world, is difficult to describe; to be able to share these moments with other believers is an incredible gift.