It's warm, the air is heavy with humidity and yet the steady breeze rushes off the ocean and rustles through the leaves, dodges around buildings, buses and cars to somehow finds its way to gently press against my face, the coolness passes giving just a moment of relief. My skin is sticky from perspiration, especially noted as I lean over to greet friends with a kiss on the cheek. The kiss lingers longer than usual for when we meet our skin melds together and we must peel it apart before moving on to the next sticky candidate. The basement of the church smells like jasmine, everything smells like jasmine. People are slowly arriving for the Christmas eve service, on the 23rd of December. It begins at 7:30, it's 7:40 and we are still gathering. The familiar tune of angels we have heard on high is being played in the background. Alvaro, Wilma's husband looks around and greets people while his fingers continue to float across the keys of the piano, producing gentle melodies of the Christmas hymns I know and love. The music that lingers in the air surrounding the wooden nativity scene placed at the front of the church is a stark contrast with everything around me telling me it is summer time. This contradiction between my idea of what Christmas should feel like, and what it is actually like today, right now, is not easy to adjust to. But for now it actually helps me to focus my thoughts on the small child in the center of the manger. It doesn't matter if it is 100 degrees outside or 32 degrees and snowing. The Christ child came. And in that coming, the whole world is given the gift of life, the gift of hope, the gift of peace. So whether you are all bundled up and watching the still white snowflakes silently cover your world or if you find yourself sitting on a beach somewhere soaking up the rays of the blazing summer sun, may you take a moment, wherever you are, to remember the true meaning of Christmas. May you share and celebrate with those you love the gift of life and all of the blessings in you have this holiday season.
Peace, Love and Holiday Blessings to all of my friends and family!