It's been a whirlwind weekend here. The group of teachers here got together on Christmas Eve morning for some reading from the Book and singing some truths about it. We joined together and celebrated our friendship and fellowship found in Immanuel. After joining in praising our newborn King, we had a secret santa gift exchange. In order to replenish ourselves, we went to a German-themed restaurant. They had a Chinese food buffet and they had guys coming around with spickets of meat. They just shaved off chunks of meat right in front of you. And, if this wasn't good enough, there was good beer too! In true German fashion we ate meat and drank beer and sang O Tannenbaum. Maybe not the last one, but we could have. Some of the meat selections consisted of pork, lamb, ox tongue, chicken heart, bratwurst, bacon, and shrimp. My favorites were the bacon and the lamb.
Later in the afternoon, we settled in for some Christmas movies while I put my new Majong skills to the test. (What's Majong? Stay tuned for a later post.)We had some Chinese friends over for supper and enjoyed tacos, ribs, and apple pie. Who doesn't love to eat good food at Christmas time? We went to see the masses of people shopping after supper. Unfortunately, here in China the biggest thing about Christmas is shopping sales. Christmas Eve is the night to get the best deals of the year. I included some of the pictures from the shopping mall area I was at last night.
This morning I was privileged to share the message of our Savior's birth with the rest of the gang. This Christmas has certainly been different in many ways. At least one thing, the most important thing about Christmas has not changed. The wonderful truth about the Son coming to earth in order to save us holds true the world around. What grace and love our Maker possesses and shows to us. We are children of Him through the gift of fa!th by grace. How great is He! May He bless your celebration of the birth of the Son this year wherever you are because He will be there with His Word!
Later in the afternoon, we settled in for some Christmas movies while I put my new Majong skills to the test. (What's Majong? Stay tuned for a later post.)We had some Chinese friends over for supper and enjoyed tacos, ribs, and apple pie. Who doesn't love to eat good food at Christmas time? We went to see the masses of people shopping after supper. Unfortunately, here in China the biggest thing about Christmas is shopping sales. Christmas Eve is the night to get the best deals of the year. I included some of the pictures from the shopping mall area I was at last night.
