Christmas in January

 

As the program began, it seemed strange to be celebrating Christmas three weeks after New Year's day. We had all been anticipating this event for many months, the children especially. Costumes were made, dances rehearsed, songs sung over and over again until they sounded just right... but the ever-present global pandemic restricted group gatherings here in Phnom Penh for many weeks. 

While the administration at the student center and the children who would participate waited patiently, the restriction continued. New cases continued to rise and the limitations grew tighter.

We prayed for relief. We prayed for the opportunity to share joy together. 

The restrictions were lifted. 

Although the rest of the world had experienced their holiday, the street children here in Phnom Penh were still anticipating woefully a time to demonstrate their love for the Christ child. They longed to express wonder at the virgin birth. They longed to share the stories with the younger children through song, dance, and play. They longed to experience fellowship with one another as their worship reached out into the heavens. 

It was a great joy to see them sing, to see them dance, to see them perform the stories that have been passed down for thousands of years. It was a joy to see their smiling faces as they laughed together. And it was our pleasure to be able to provide them food and drinks and uniforms that they will use for the coming school year. 

One may wonder why these resources were simply not passed on without the fanfare during the restriction period. Why wait until a month after Christmas to do a gathering together? Why not simply divvy out the goods that the mission provides and be done with it?

The answer is that the goods are not the message. They are only a part of it. What goods and services we provide, we provide as an expression of the love for one another we learn in Christ. 

Love is the message. And it does not have to be communicated on December 25. It is a message that we are able to share all the time. It is patient. It is kind. It is a lesson I will always be grateful for.

Thank you to the children from the streets of Phnom Penh.

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