Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

The little town of El Valle de Anton where we live is nestled in the valley of Anton (thus the name)…surrounded by mountains, trees, flowers.  Just a sleepy little town - except on weekends when the tourists come to visit.  It is not uncommon to see people walking and talking and laughing in the streets, and bicycles filling the narrow roadways, so that as a driver, you have to weave around them or even slow to a stop. You wouldn't believe the skill that takes! Things are easy going here.  Laid back. People stop and visit…relationships are important…more important than getting any lists completed.  The people are happy, though poor for the most part.  They would never know that, though…they are quite satisfied with how things are…and are probably more wealthy in many ways than most North Americans. They work together to accomplish things for the common good.  The local market place is the place to gather and run into people. Most of the grocery stores look like you've just stepped into the 40's... It is community.  I wonder if Bethlehem was much the same way.  Slow, quiet, peaceful.

Last night we enjoyed our first Christmas program at the little church we have been going to….it was their first as well.  This year, they started out with about 30 people and have probably tripled in size.  50-60 people will be at Friday night Bible Study each week.  Not many people miss out on any part of this excitement that they have for Jesus.

The youth have been working on a drama for months…..the children were learning Christmas carols…the missionaries thought that for this evening, it would be easier on everyone if we all just brought a covered dish.  No - they didn't want to do it that way…we're family….

So, money was collected, as a person could afford to give, and a few of the ladies planned the meal. The night before, after Bible study (late), several of them gathered at one of their little homes to help cook for us all. I was ready to go to bed.  Perhaps that's why they call us older people, "Ancianos". Yep, old people.  Ancient!

We arrived at about 6 p.m….doors were locked.  This IS Latin America.  In actuality, they had been working a good part of the day and went home to clean up. But soon, the people with keys showed and the hustle and bustle began.  Chairs were set up facing their/our first ever Christmas Tree….food was in the kitchen…and the coffee was put on.  It may have ben 6:30 or later before we started, but that was OK…always lots of visiting and hugging going on.  Cleo - the friendly upbeat leader - started us singing a Christmas song - he had worked hard putting a program together and even shortened it a bit…I thought we would still be there until midnight…but here we went.  People still kept coming in for at least another 1/2 hour - that's just the way it is.  Many walk from a long distance away.  I sometimes wonder if they even have clocks, as time is just not ruling their lives.

Next on the agenda were the little ones I'd been working with on 3 songs…..only 5 of the 9 were there yet.  Oh well - it worked….and parents were tickled.

Another song.  

Some games for the kids and adults got everyone involved and cheering the others on.

Another song.

More games.

Then we sang a few more songs while the youth got their drama ready to go.  We all headed outside, to the story of Jesus acted out (covering far more history than just baby Jesus) - with costumes,  a stable, a bouncing sheep and a real live horse.  It was hard to hear and hard to see in the dark…but that was OK too…..everyone was thrilled with it.

And while they were doing that, tables were replacing the chairs that had been set up and dinner was being plated.  Ham, mashed potatoes, rice and beans, grapes, bread - lots of food! It was probably at least 8 p.m. but the atmosphere was festive and there was lots of cheer.

When the plates were cleared away, Santa showed up.  That would be Bob Burr - husband - in his red shorts, lined on the hems with 4" of cotton, a red tropical shirt, beard made from a plastic grocery bag with strips of cotton stapled to it, a festive hat and cool dude sunglasses.  The kids were thrilled.  Not sure ANY of them knew anything about this part of the evening.  

There is a man in the US that has made it his personal project to send a container of shoeboxes filled with gifts down to the Darien in Panama each year.  David and Lisa - our missionaries - were able to get room on the container for some of their sponsoring churches to send gifts as well.  So we had stacks of wrapped shoeboxes to give away!

Santa started with the youngest - each would come and sit on his lap - get a picture taken - and get an age/gender appropriate gift.  They had so much fun - as did Santa and everyone watching.  

Probably 50 or more gifts were given away…and it was the end of a fine festive evening.  Funny thing was, I had no idea what time it was - nor did I care.  It had been a delightful time together, with family, hours of celebrating and remembering the birth of a Savior….

Who may have been born in a little town….

much like this….

Merry Christmas!

Our First Christmas in Panama - You Won't Believe Some of These Traditions!

Perhaps where you live, things are getting ramped up for Christmas…the stores have been decorated and selling decorations, gifts and anything else they can get you to buy.  The places you shop and dine are crazy busy and your calendar has filled up quickly - Oh to have a bit of rest.

Well, here we are in Panama…I did put up a few lights around the railing on our patio the other day - after we participated in the Christmas Parade….but wait - let me back up a bit.  While we are not nearly as busy - not even close - to what we were in Mexico or in the US, Panama seems to pack in a number of celebrations into the month of December and beyond. Let me share some with you.

We arrived at church Sunday morning, as usual, but had a few ornaments to donate to the church Christmas tree.  Others had brought some as well, some home made, some purchased...so we all helped to decorate it….nothing fancy, but….maybe the prettiest I've seen.

We also noticed that the church was set up with tables instead of just chairs, and they were all decorated.  

We quickly  found out that Sunday, December 8th, is celebrated as Mother's Day in Panama.  And we'd no sooner seen the decorations, than a huge pot of chicken and rice came through the front door being carried by a couple of the guys.

That's Michael, Omar and Cleo - I think someone said Omar made the whole thing!

It was a very unorthodox church service for sure, as only the mothers were allowed to sit at the tables - men and children sat on benches behind us. I was more than a little  uncomfortable sitting with all the moms, since I'm not really one myself, but they insisted on including me.  

We had a semi-regular church service, though shortened, and then moved on to "Part 2" of the morning service…a time to honor moms.  Kiernan - my great niece , sand a couple of songs for us with the ukelele she's been playing for only 2 months (!!) as they started to serve the food. Chicken and rice, Ice Cream and Jello (together), a fresh fruit drink, and maybe something else.  A LOT of food!

 The kids took turns walking across the front saying things they were grateful for about their moms.  There were some really cool thanks, some short and sweet ones, and even one "Thank you for food." Another little girl brought her momma with her that morning and had most of us in tears as she recited a poem just for her mom.

 These darling little girls said a poem that Cleo was prompting them with from behind….sneaky...

And then, sweet Alvarada wanted to sing a song for us as well.  A special Sunday, for sure.

But don't think about resting just yet.

Wednesday night was the big parade in town….our church had ben invited to participate, and somehow, before we knew what was happening, our car was going to be in it - we were going to decorate it, and Bob was going to be Santa Claus.  

 Everyone wore red shirts and Santa hats….with exception of the reindeer pulling our red Santa's Sleigh car. Santa was in back with his helpers throwing out candy.

And all the kids wanted pics with this makeshift tropical Santa.

The parade really was great - several really big, lighted floats for such a small town - thousands of people lining the main street.  And the rain managed to hold off for pretty much all of it!

From what I've heard, it's rather important to have a cut tree for Christmas here….and evidently most of the decorating takes place from about the 14th until the 24th.  There are a few houses with lights on them so far, but not many.  I understand they have a Christmas meal like we would (turkey and such), with the addition of  a few local foods, but they don't eat dinner until after midnight on Christmas…and THEN they go visit their friends!?!?!  We're probably going to miss that part.

Just today, as we were driving down the hill to Coronado, we saw several houses with these "dolls" in their front yards along the road.  Lifesize, or larger, painted faces - men, women and children, celebrities, politicians - even American presidents and Martha Stewart!  They are called by some "Judas Dolls", and by others, "Old Year Dolls".  This custom is only common to this area of Panama, as I understand it.  They make these dolls weeks before New Years Eve, even sell them…and then at 1 minute before midnight on New Years Eve, the dolls that have been stuffed with fireworks, are set on fire ….putting away the 'old man' and representing the old year coming to an end with a pretty big bang!

You know how I mentioned that it's good to have a cut tree??? On Three Kings Day - Dia de los tres Reyes (January 6th) - people take that tree and burn it - like a bon-fire…what that has to do with the Three Kings (Wise Men), I don't know…but it's probably another excuse to set off more fireworks….they seem to love to do that!

There were many different traditions in Mexico than we'd known in the USA, and now we are realizing that not all Latin American countries are alike, either.  But one thing that has been refreshing is the abundance of Nativity Scenes in public places - even at government buildings.  Christmas Carols that mention that birth play in grocery stores and shopping centers. We still have the pleasure and freedom to say Merry Christmas - or Feliz Navidad.  While traditions vary the world over, there is still one person that ties it all together….that Christ child, born in a manger in Bethlehem all those years ago.  The One Who gave His life for you and for me.  The greatest gift…ever!

Merry Christmas from this girl in Panama, her husband, 2 dogs, a cat and a sloth that comes to visit frequently.  With so much sadness , chaos and craziness in this world today - I wish you peace - the peace that only HE can give.