Christmas in Taipei

Here in Taiwan, Christmas is not a holiday. People still go to work and to school. Stores are all open. Shoppers scurry back and forth, not laden with Christmas gifts, but with food from the fresh market for the daily simple fare. Cars and motorcycles noisily make their way through the crowded traffic - not crowded because of Christmas travelers, but just crowded - like everyday. 

But at Christmas time, the temple grounds displays a large nativity of Jesus Christ's birth. I am touched by the loving embrace of Joseph as he and Mary cradle the new born Babe. It was a sacred, holy reverent experience, never to be forgotten. In humble surroundings, without fanfare, perhaps away from extended family and friends - the most significant birth in the history of this world took place. There were no parties. There were no large family gatherings. There were no games, big meals, delicious snacks, sports, or family activities. There was, of course, no Christmas tree, no wrapped gifts beneath it's boughs. No Santa Claus. No cookies. 

But there was a new Light in the sky! 

And in Taiwan there are lots of Christmas lights!  They grace high-end shopping malls and small mom and pop shops. There are Christmas decorations nearly everywhere, encouraging shoppers to take advantage of Christmas sales.

 

That first Christmas had no gifts  - but there were gifts that came later when the wise men visited the young Child - presenting Him with gifts fit for the King He is. 

And here in Taiwan there are gifts!  Parents the world over are sending their love with piles of packages lined up for the missionaries.

 

That first Christmas had no cookies, or parties or large gatherings. But here in Taiwan, we had several community concerts where nearly all the missionaries came and sang or performed, plus two large zone conferences, complete with talent shows and a movie! 

Christmas Concert on Sunday night

Zone Conference brunch - complete with homemade 

cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate!

One of our talent show stars! She's playing a traditional
Taiwanese ceramic flute.

The senior missionaries were also treated to a Family Home Evening at the mission president's home, and a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner and program at the home of the AIT Director (American Institute in Taiwan) and his wife, who happen to be members of our Church. 

That first Christmas had no parties, but they did have angels! And so do we - about 128 of them - and they do angelic work every day.

So while our Christmas here in Taiwan may not look like yours, wherever you are in a pandemic-laden world, your Christmas and ours both do look a bit like that first Christmas. We both have lights, music, choirs of angels, people spreading the Good News, and gifts that have come from long distances. 

But most of all, we have Jesus Christ in our midst, as do you. He is the greatest gift to mankind. His birth was a gift, His life was a gift, His sacrifice and death were gifts, His resurrection was a gift, all so that we can be blessed with the gifts of immortality and eternal life. It truly IS a magical time of year!  Merry Christmas from Taiwan, where the gifts of Christmas are still the gifts of Christ.

 

 

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