Simbang Gabi

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!! 

This holiday season has been full of mixed emotions. While it is sad to be so far away from family for the first time on Christmas, God has been so faithful to remind us what Christmas is about. He is truly purifying our hearts and for that we are grateful. Christmas isn't about the gifts, the glamor, or even the family time. While I thought I knew this in America, it has truly taken refinement for me to realize these truths. And I'm only beginning to realize them. The Lord still has so much to teach us about the true JOY of Christmas. I ask you to examine your heart as well. If all that you've ever known as "Christmas" was suddenly changed, would you still worship? Would you still be full of joy? I found myself wishing the weather was cold or wishing I could help my mom and siblings decorate the tree while we sing our favorite Christmas songs. But that's not what Christmas is about. There's nothing wrong with family or trees or enjoying the weather. Those are great things.  But the moment my satisfaction is in anything but Jesus, something is wrong. And I praise the Lord that He won't allow me to wallow in false hopes. He is continually bringing me back to the cross. So this season as we celebrate His birth, we celebrate His life and His death. And we wait in great anticipation for His second coming. Finding our hope in nothing else, this Christmas will be about Jesus.
Though I've been a little homesick, I've been so thankful for how much Filipinos love Christmas. Some of them have been decorating since we arrived in September! Seriously, they consider all "ber" months as Christmas. September through December. Nonetheless, things are lively as the 25th grows closer. The market is busy and offers more than double the produce and items it normally does. You can just feel the excitement for Christmas in the air. They also sell special fruits like apples, grapes, pamello, and much more. Many people have been saving money since Septebmer to buy their Christmas meal and gifts. Aside from the marketplace, everything else pretty much seems to have stopped until the holiday passes. Schools are out and work is light. Most of the people we meet with for discipleship are taking time off to enjoy the season as well. We are in the 4th night of what is called Simbang Gabi. Simbang Gabi translated literally is "come to church at night." It originated in the Catholic church and was later adopted by all Filipinos. It begins the 16th of December and lasts until Christmas Eve. Each night (or early morning before dawn for more rural/farming communities) a service takes place where most of the community comes out to celebrate together. The Roman
Catholics and spiritists believe that if they come every night without missing a service, all their Christmas wishes will come true. While that seems a bit silly to us, it is very real for those who don't know the truth. But what a wonderful opportunity we have as believers to use Simbang Gabi to share the Gospel of Jesus. In our community, Simbang Gabi is held at our church. We sing Christmas carols, hear a small bit of the Christmas story each night, and pray together. It's a very joyful time and many of the members of the community who would not normally be interested in listening are present in hopes for their wishes to come true. Our hope is that their hearts would be pierced with the true story of Jesus and the true reason for Christmas. As the Body of Christ celebrates together around the world, join us in praying for the people in Maria Aurora. We have a few opportunities this weekend to serve and minister.  On Friday, we'll be helping facilitate a children's Christmas party, Saturday fellowship at Hot Springs, and Sunday I'll be joining the women in a Christmas cantata at Simbang Gabi.

In addition to Simbang Gabi, we've gotten a little festive around our home as well. Check out some pictures below!

Monica, Josh, and Kletz decorating the 'tree'.

Our First Christmas :)

Nativity mural

 (Josh painted this chalkboard on our wall last week. We wanted it to help with our scripture memory, writing to-do lists, just for fun, etc. For the rest of December, it's a reminder for why we celebrate)

Check out a close-up of Josh's skill!