I will be back in Phoenix on Friday, just 5 days from now. I can't wait to see how much Alex, Dazza, Arianna, & Elysia have grown in the last 4 months. My whole family is so wonderful, I am excited to spend the Christmas season with them.
Christmas in Japan is slightly. . . off. They don't seem to know why exactly there is a celebration but since the Americans are shopping something big must be happening. Plus the Japanese culture is much more subdued so the excess that makes Christmas so much fun is mostly lost here. I think there is only one house in my neighborhood that has decorations at all, and I can't even think where that house is, so maybe it's in a friends neighborhood(?). My house isn't decorated at all since I won't be home for most of the season.
I actually like the lack of distractions at this time of year. You can get so overwhelmed, the pretty colors and lights all trying to get your attention. I am grateful that I can focus on the actual reason celebrate, Jesus. The lack of shopping and decorating has allowed me time to reflect and spiritually ready myself to truly celebrate the birth of our Lord.
