Today we traveled to Hokkaido--Hakodate city--for the end of the year party for Akihiro's parent's company. I was terribly excited to see the snow when we landed at the airport. (We haven't gotten any snow yet in Tokyo and I have been extremely jealous of all the snowy reports I get from Illinois!) Somehow it was as if God knew I needed this extra blessing to make this Christmas special! How good He is in things big and small! We found an outdoor skating rink and enjoyed an hour and a half of skating. Here on the north island, I don't think they see many foreigners--I was really getting "looks" and "hello's" from some of the more bold children. It is always kinda fun when they say hello rather than just staring at the blue eyes that can't seem to be hidden under my red cap. The cool air and the big fluffy snow flakes falling as it turned dark really made it seem like Christmas even though, sadly, most of these beautiful black-haired (snow-frosted) people don't know the real meaning for Christmas.
After that exhilerating experience, we headed for the hotel and an onsen. It was so peaceful in the roof-top outdoor onsen with snow falling on my back and looking out over the quiet (compared to Tokyo) town of Hakodate. I sat and pondered many things--one of which was the email I got from an encourager. It was so helpful to me and perhaps there are some readers to whom it would be helpful to as well.
When one can't be home for Christmas, it seems like the memories of past Christmases and family traditions are amplified more than ever and one's heart aches to be with loved ones.
However, as we consider the Christmas story we can see that "I'll be home for Christmas." is not a part of the Christmas story at all.
Christ had left His glorious home in heaven.
Joseph, as the head of his home, had to leave his home and all that was familiar to him and try to provide for his wife and the Christ child under very bleak conditions.
Mary, left her home and family and willingly followed Joseph to bear the Christ child in a dark and lonely stable.
The shepherds had left their home to worship the Christ.
The wise men had left their home to follow the star and for over a year searched for the Christ child.
None of them were home, yet all of them were exactly where God wanted them. In John 15, Christ repeatedly tells us to abide in Him and he will abide in us. If we are abiding in Christ, we are truly making our abode (our home) in Him. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that even though you may not be physically home for Christmas, you are truly home when you are abiding in Him.
We had a delicious supper with the fattest crab leg I have ever eaten and admired the hotel's Japanese garden in the snow. Soon it will be time to out this weary, but very thankful body to bed.
