I've started to write my official Christmas experience blog several times, but each time I thought "I'll wait until the next event is done and then write about them all." Finally, I am at the end of all Christmas events and if I don't write today, I'll have to include New Year's and this will be an eternal posting. So, grab a cup of coffee and/or some chocolate and sit down for a long read about my 3rd Christmas in Latvia. (I'll post pictures later for those of you who would rather see my story than read it!)

This has been a season of contrasts for me, some quite extreme and others more subtle. Let me try to explain:

Contrasts in music - I attended several concerts and musical events, all very different:

Bach's Christmas Oratorio (in German) - performed in the Riga Dome Church, which is a beautiful setting. I am not that familiar with this work, but loved some of the heavenly music that rang through the domed interior of the church

The Nutcracker Ballet - at the Latvian Opera house, another beautiful setting. The orchestra was excellent, the dancers very good and it's such a fun story. I did sit in the cheap seats which are a great view but I was among many young kids who couldn't sit still. But still, a very nice Christmas experience. I can imagine The Nutcracker becoming one of my Christmas traditions.

Handel's Messiah - for the 3rd year I attended this beautiful concert, again in the Riga Dome Church. This time I paid a couple of lats more and had a wonderful seat where I could watch the very lively conductor and all of the soloists. This was the best of the 3 performances I've heard. I've even decided I like the male alto soloist - he's really good and fun to watch. The soprano was so into the music - either she was a good performer or really believed it when she sang "Rejoice, rejoice greatly!" Whenever I hear this (which I believe is my favorite musical work of all time) I am struck by a particular phrase or idea. This year I often felt as if I was getting a taste of heaven, especially when the chorus sang "Glory to God in the Highest" and "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!" Someone in our small group has expressed some negativity about heaven being filled with singing and music. (I won't mention who that was, but she doesn't think of herself as a singer.) I can't imagine heaven without music - it does lift my soul right to God.

Harlem Gospel Choir - and finally something totally different, last night I went for the 2nd year to this concert. Only I actually went with people (!) this time - Ieva, Ilona and Janis, Velta and we met Linda and Vita in the row behind us. It was fun to be with a group. I thought the concert was not quite as good as last year, but maybe I wasn't in such great need of it this year. The moment for me came as one of the group sang beautifully and sweetly, 'O Holy Night'. I felt like I needed to do something physically in response when she sang 'Fall on your knees'. Just so you know I didn't embarrass anyone by doing that, I just felt it in my heart!

Contrasts of food - it wouldn't be Christmas and it wouldn't be Latvia without lots of food. Where do I start?

I had 2-3 traditional Latvian meals: ham or cutlet with kaposti and potatoes. Once at Riga 2, once in Seda (story later) and one more time which I can't recall! Every time I am served kaposti (homemade sourkraut) someone asks if I've ever had it before. You would think that they would realize that I've lived here for 2 1/2 years and can't count how many times I've had it. The next question "Do you like it?" You would think the heaping portion on my plate would answer that - I love it! And finally (really, every time this same thing happens!) - "Do you eat anything like this in America?" And always the answer is yes, in fact my mother really liked sourkraut and we had it quite often. They are always amazed at that answer. I wonder how many years I would have to live here before they stopped asking those questions?!

On Christmas Day I was with Graeme, Zoe and Sian. They fixed a traditional English roasted dinner - chicken, potatoes, veggies, with gravy and Christmas pudding - which was also very good. The next day (Boxing Day for those of you who celebrate that) I had Smiths and Ilsters over for a traditional American brunch - egg bake and french toast. And because I had the urge to make it, we also had salsa and chips (traditional Merritt family Christmas menu item!)

And throughout the season there has been chocolate and a very nice gift of Starbuck's coffee from Michelle and Carol at home.

Contrasts of people and fellowship - This theme perhaps struck me the most and has been running through my mind and heart this season.

At all of those concerts I saw hundreds of people dressed up in their Christmas finest, spending time with family, enjoying culture and the holiday. But, except for the Harlem Gospel Choir, I was on my own in all of those settings. It wasn't unpleasant, but my situation was a contrast to most of those around me. Perhaps my experience was also unique or uncommon as I sensed the true meaning of the season - the celebration of the coming of Christ to earth.

There were a lot of joyful people around me this season, too. I spent Christmas Eve with the Riga 2 corps, as well as had dinner with them on the 26th. They have a great fellowship and I love being with them. Their children's Christmas program was excellent and fun. But even there, we had 2 people come in who sat on their own because of the smell coming from them and because of their unusual behavior. A real contrast.

Our small group went bowling for our Christmas party. A little bragging, we played a pre-game game of pool and I put 3 balls in the pocket in a row. Hanna and I still lost to Stuart and Cai, but just barely and I was amazed that I remembered how to play after so many years (I don't even remember the last time I played pool) And...I actually did OK after several gutter balls, making 3 strikes in a row. Sarah put a team together which maybe included the least capable (me) and maybe least competitive of us (no offense to the other team!) which meant we had lots of fun. But, both Aivis and I surprised ourselves by doing better than expected. It was a really nice evening, with great fellowship.

Finally, Dana and I went out to visit the cadets who spent the month of December with the Liepa corps and it's outposts - Drusti and Seda. I think I've talked about Seda before. It is a depressed town, with very little opportunity for employment and most of the people look empty and hopeless. Sergejs lived in the little flat there and visited with the people every day. He provided some hope and fellowship for them. But, I was struck by the extreme neediness of this town and it's people - physically, socially and especially spiritually. This was such a contrast to the rest of my Christmas experience and was disturbing - what can we do to reach these and so many people in similar circumstances? They even contrasted with the cadets, especially Ilona, who continues to be full of joy and enthusiasm for the work she's called to and for all she is learning in training. Sarah called people like her 'soakies' - eager to soak in everything that they can and excited about it all. What a joy she is to me and the rest of us! And it seems the next session of cadets will have one or two similar people - the Lord is good! But, Ilona was struck also and disturbed by the neediness she saw as she served in Liepa and it's surrounding communities. There is one particular area which is so deprived - no water, no electricity and no hope. Again we ask, what can we do to reach these people and lift them up?

Contrasts in the 'spirit of Christmas' - This Christmas I have been impressed over and over again with the truth of Christ coming to earth for us. I frequently thought about this verse "I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly!" John 10. Whatever life brings me I know that there is something more available - more abundance of the life of God in me. Contrast that with this ad from one of our shopping centers who played the Marilyn Monroe version of 'Happy Birthday' but ended it not with 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' but 'Happy Birthday, Mr. Jesus!' What do you think about that? I've gone from offended (realizing what the rumors were about Marilyn and Mr. President) to shrugging my shoulders to thinking 'at least they know it's about Jesus'.

While you are coming down off of your sugar and other carbs from Christmas - remember the true meaning - life abundant in Jesus!