Countdown to Christmas

Today is the first day of December so we move into one of our busiest times of the year. The Christmas season is always an opportunity here. But it's odd too as we celebrate in a land where Christmas Day is just another working day - actually it is often the last day of school before the winter holiday. Things have changed since we first arrived in Japan over 12 years ago. You can get a decent-sized frozen turkey quite easily; you can buy Advent calendars; you can even get chocolates for the Christmas tree! Certainly the commercialisation has also moved up several notches over the years. But these coming weeks will see people drawn to churches and other events held up and down the country. For our fledging church here we can't do anything on a big scale. But for starters we (or rather the ladies in the team) are hosting a Christmas Tea Party this week in our home. We were hoping and praying for 10 to come - and exactly that number have said they will come! Most are mums Lorna has got to know through the school. It will be quite simple and informal - making a chocolate log cake and German cookies together (and eating them!) with Kaori, Nora and Lorna also sharing something about Christmas. This may be the first time for many of these ladies to hear what Christmas is really all about. More opportunities will follow over the coming weeks - watch this space for more info.