The Hope That Waited for Me Each December

Holding On to Christmas Hope While Serving Far From Home

By Gail Goolsby

I am a December Girl.

My birthday comes early in the month and has never been overshadowed by the holidays. Growing up, my family chose to decorate our fresh cut pine tree on my birthday and endure the judgments of others that we were rushing things. This was before the present trend that Christmas-starts-the-day-after-Halloween.

Later in December is of course Christmas, my absolute favorite season of year. I yearn to begin playing my huge collection of holiday tunes and usually restrain myself to the end (okay, middle) of November. The foods, the decorations, the events, and the chance to focus on Jesus as His birth is publicly celebrated are all treats I adore.

Then I moved to a place where there was no sign of the holiday–Afghanistan. No window displays boasted yuletide colors or twinkling lights. No recorded melodies like Jingle Bells or Joy to the World came through shop speakers. No Nativity scenes or even Santas appeared anywhere. Depressing.