A different kind of Christmas

For most American Christians, the Christmas holiday brings thoughts of snowfall, decorations, candlelit services, family and friends. In my family, Christmas has always been just that. For as long as I can remember we have done the same thing. Nearly 50 people come to my Nashville home on Christmas Eve for dinner and fellowship; it's the day I look most forward to for the whole year.

Not this year. I'm doing something different — I'm going to India.

I'm not sure how to approach the Christmas season this year. I'm going into it with excitement and anticipation, of course. I can't, however, decide how I feel about listening to Christmas music, decorating a tree or doing any of the things I traditionally associated with Christmas. I've caught myself saying more than once "I don't get to have a Christmas this year." I know that's not true, but I can't help but look at this year as different from any other.

I grew up in a Christian family, and my holiday celebrations were probably like many American children's. There was a wonderful mix of Christian themes and Bible stories infused with the Americanized Santa frenzy. My favorite parts were always the more sacred ones, though. I cherish the tradition of going to midnight mass with my grandmother every Christmas Eve. I sing along to "O Holy Night" and "Joy to the World" louder than any other Christmas songs. All of these things that make Christmas so special for me each holiday season are a large part of the reason that this year my holiday will be so different.

The thought of spending the Christmas season in a country where more than 80 percent of the population is Hindu is one that I can't quite comprehend. Although only about 25 million of India's nearly 1.2 billion people, or less than 3 percent, are Christians, that doesn't lessen the celebration of Christmas there. Images of Santa or "Christmas Bapa," as he is known in Hindi, decorate the streets much like in the United States. Gifts are given and dinner parties are held in celebration of the national holiday. Just like home, right?

The hardest part for me to get over is the absence of tradition. I like Christmas because I am comfortable with what we do in the Johnson household. I'm going to be spending one of the highest of holidays in a foreign land with only my sister Lindsay, who lives in India, to celebrate with me. We won't be exchanging presents of any real value, and we won't be sitting around a Christmas tree. A couple of Lindsay's friends will be around for the festivities. One is Muslim; the other is Hindu.

As I think and pray about my adventure, I am reminded of what matters. The Christmas season isn't about presents and it isn't about food. In fact, it isn't even about family or traditions. The Christmas season is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. The miracle of Christmas takes place regardless of where I am or who I am with; I'm excited to celebrate His birth in a way I never have before.