Yo estoy enferma.

Merry Christmas everyone!  While waiting in the airport yesterday I wrote the post below and had planned to post it last night when I got home, hoping it would be before midnight, but....public transportation happened.  Funny how buses and trains don't run that often in the dead of night!  So I got home, but much after midnight, and therefore this is being posted now!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Feeling exceptionally blessed this year as I sit here at Midway awaiting my return flight to the Big Apple.  Within the past three days the vast majority of family has been greeted, gifts have been gifted and nephew has been everything short of smothered by kisses.  The date still says it’s December 25^th, the date on which the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is traditionally celebrated, but my “Christmas” is drawing to a close.  I walked past the long line at the McDonalds, my last Christmas meal still sitting heavy in my stomach, and was struck by the normality of life here at the terminal.  And then bemused further, “How many people had McDonalds for Christmas?”  Growing up in a Christian household, and surrounded by a church family, to my knowledge the whole world celebrated Christ's birth.  But sitting here at an epicenter of international travel, I am saddened to admit to myself my pretty picture of “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men,” fails to extend beyond my imagination.  That outside of my bubble the arms of Jesus, Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace are rejected sooner than accepted.  I think of my friend from Baghdad to whom December 25^th was just another day.  And here in the States he looks around goes with the flow trying to mimic us Americans, and now, December 25^th means commercialism, bright lights and just another day in the hospital.  Challenge to myself: when my friend from Baghdad asks me HOW was my Christmas can I also share with him the WHY of my Christmas?

I hope everyone’s Christmas was blessed.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Hasta!