Christmas!

As promised... a Christmas post!

Christmas is a big deal here in Innsbruck. Starting in the first week of November, the city quickly turns into a bustling hub of festivities, Christmas sparkle, and tourists from Italy, Germany, Britain, Spain etc. Lights are on all the main buildings downtown, city streets are lined with stalls selling Christmas trinkets, the coffee shops are full every afternoon, and parades and music performances are a regular occurrence downtown.

Christmas is also a big deal in our home! We got a cute little Christmas tree from the florist down the road (which came in dirt, so we can keep it on our patio and still have it at around in the summer, BONUS!) We had a beautiful advent wreath since the end of November, and our little home is filled with Christmas cards from all over the world (we feel so loved!)

I love this season; I love the magic in the air, the sparkles and the excitement. I love the traditions, like the music, the food, the gatherings, the celebrating.
Though I love this season so much, I have also been wrestling with the sadness. This being our first Christmas abroad, and not even being able to spend it with our Austrian family, has been, and still is, difficult. This, combined with how busy I am with work in my personal life, and furthered by the seemingly consistent turmoil that our world is in, have very much gotten in the way of how happy I want to feel this season. But this same sadness is what makes Christmas so special. The sadness is exactly what makes the birth of Jesus that much more significant. Summed up perfectly by Josh Garrels in 'Come to Him', from his new album, (and my new, favourite Christmas album), Garrels writes:

Come to Him
With all your heart
Come and lay your burdens down
For peace He came to give
And Joy shall be the crown

This message has appeared to me in so many songs, articles and sermons this year, but has been so relative to Christmas this year.

So, I wish all of you and your loved ones the true joy that comes with this season, from Him who came to this earth so that we may experience true love, peace and joy.

-Christi