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!