I left you off at midnight on Christmas Day. The plans for
Christmas this year were vastly different than any in my past. And what I
thought would be the same turned out to be different. These differences became
the same. All said it was entirely new experience, and as much as I miss my
friends and family during this time, I think it has taught me to appreciate
them even more and to embrace the welcome arms of new friends.
The first difference was that my father or my brother
usually wakes me up around 8 am. Today I woke up to an alarm (around the same
time though). Dawdling I put on some nice clothes (casual smart as they say in
SG) and jetted out on the MRT to find Singapore Indoor stadium, my host for
Christmas morning mass.
It was immediately apparent to me that this church was much
different than what I was used to at home. The venue was the dead give away,
but the people with signs outside, the queue was easily 500 people deep, and
the stadium was mostly full. So no pews just stadium seats. The lights went
down, fog machines bellowed, lasers started shooting and the bass was thumping.
Wait a sec? Concert or church, the first hour of the service was a dance warm-up
for everyone, rock and light versions of Christmas carols and a play with a
prodigal son (daughter actually) type message. I was doing fine until one of
the songs “Gloria In Excelsios deo” or Glory to god in the highest, this
reminded me of singing with the family and in our Ukrainian church when I was younger.
I officially missed home, was homesick or whatever you may decide to call it.
Sermon finally started around 11:30, I found this part much
more to my interest. Apparently I am very traditional, although this wasn’t
presented how I am used to. A PowerPoint with different quotes was provided and
the priest (not sure if that’s what you call this guy), dumbed down greatly
parts of scripture. I think this is good to help people understand, but it
directs interpretation. What I like is that the way I hear or read the bible
(which isn’t very often these days) is interpreted by myself and I can generate
my own beliefs. I had to leave church early in order to meet up with the family
on Christmas Eve. 1 pm on the 25th for me was 10 pm for my family on
the 24th.
It was wonderful to see Ben, Christina, Dad and Mom on their
Christmas Eve, I just missed caroling with them. They were all in a bright
cheerful mood and it helped pick me up as well. The gift mom picked up for my
little nephew Leo was a toy guitar. Leo is always smiling he is so cheerful,
and to here about this 20 month old rocking out and dancing is exciting, I
asked Krista if she could share with me a video of it. As they were heading to
bed, we planned to chat again when they woke up in the morning. Following our
normal tradition, I would open gifts with them, this time on Skype.
I killed the afternoon away with walking and some TV shows,
I decided to take the day off the gym. At 11 pm my time, mom messaged me to say
they were awake. JOY! Christmas is here. It felt more like Christmas that
evening than it had all day. I sat in the middle of the room as they each
opened their stockings, I asked questions about the lip balm Christina had
received, and the little things everyone received from Santa.
Next up I was carried to the living room and sat in a chair
so I could see everyone. My “neck” was a little sore, so I needed help turning
my head when each person was opening their gifts. This was probably one of my
highlights to Christmas, to see and hear the excitement of everyone as they
opened their gifts and spread holiday love.
Overall, Christmas was good, despite being so many KM (just
over 13 000) away from family. I know that friends here have been very good to
me, and I want to thank all of you.
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