submitted by Michael Furchert, European Tour Director with Joshua Expeditions

For me and my family living in Communist East Germany, Christmas had a very different meaning than the nice fuzzy feeling that comes with the “end of the year.” For us it was the highlight of the year: we had reason to celebrate something much greater than the German art of carving Europe’s finest Christmas angels while not being allowed to use their names. We proclaimed God’s name anyway, as the very message of Christmas could not keep us silent. But it always kept us in suspense.

One week before Christmas, my parents locked the living room door. That meant no more television until Christmas, but time to “reflect and prepare our hearts.” Mom and Dad would slip in and out the living room and we could hear them rummage around inside as the days drew us closer to Christmas. On Christmas Eve they had to “work.” As a pastor and Sunday school teacher, they led four to five different services throughout the villages. When they came home at night, they disappeared into the “Christmas Room.” We, five siblings, lined up in front of the door, holding candles and waiting in suspense.

The ringing of a little bell inside the room was our sign. We opened the door and music started to play from the old stereo. With wide eyes and burning candles, we marched inside and lined up in front of the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Dad read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. Mom added her meaningful wishes to remember that God had given his son for our salvation. My siblings and I each read a Bible verse and used our little candle to carefully light another candle on the Christmas tree. (Yes, we used real candles!) Mom explained that this is how we should pass on the love of God, one light lighting another. She always encouraged us to become quiet before God, look into the light of the candles, and to let their warmth and peace flow into our hearts remembering that Jesus came to be the Light for us. Dad spoke a prayer and then it was time to eat, unwrap gifts, read letters, and sing songs. At night our parents would sit with us by the Christmas tree, looking into the candles until the last flame had faded with one final flicker. Then Dad spoke the blessing over his family to conclude the celebration.

Today, Germany is still known for its many Christmas traditions, its Christmas Markets with their romantic atmosphere and festive songs, its carved wooden angels, and its cake, cookies, and gingerbread that is shipped all over the world. Yet, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of our sometimes busy, hectic, and over-commercialized Christmases, I often miss the silent reflective times when we had very little but time to remember the One who had given us everything.

May we all take the time this week to remember our Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to give us all good things. Wir wünschen Frohe Weihnachten und ein gesundes neues Jahr.

We wish you Merry Christmas and a happy new year!