Sure, the season invites a lot of clatter, from deck-the-halling Pepsi commercials to the predictable prattle over some alleged “war on Christmas.” But for most of us, the holiday remains a time of family, a time of reflection, and a time of love.
Which is why, this Christmas, my thoughts keep returning to the 184,000 American soldiers currently stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, honoring our nation with their service while fighting wars whose consequences have nothing and everything to do with the humanity at the heart of the holiday.
It is easy to say “let us remember our troops” during the Christmas season, but how many of us really understand the painful nobility of this sacrifice? Who among us can actually put ourselves in the dusty boots of these men and women, and imagine what it must be like to spend this most beloved of holidays away from those who give our spirits their greatest nourishment, our lives their greatest purpose?
In Baghdad, it is hardly Christmasy. Temperatures are mild, sand swirls instead of snow, and the closest our soldiers can get to the serene sounds of church bells and caroling is the enchanting call to prayer from the local mosques ”” and even that is all too often disrupted by the thunder of gunfire and roadside bombs.
>”In Baghdad, it is hardly Christmasy.”
I wouldn’t be so quick to judge. While you have a difficult time seeing just how Christmasy the Iraq theater is, many deployed Christians are likely having a most memorable Christmas.
During Desert Storm, I was deployed in the UAE. My Christmas began with midnight Mass in a tent with scores of my fellow brothers and sisters in arms. I had the honor to lector. I remember after Mass standing outside in very frigid weather looking up at a clear star filled sky. Seeing the desert lit by the moon and stars, it was far easier to see and undestand Luke’s description of shepards tending their flocks by night and to depict the travels of wise men.
The next morning I opened a few small gifts. Small due to the postal restrictions on size. I also enjoyed a small Christmas tree sent by a wonderful family in Lorraine, Ohio. I attended a wonderfully prepared Christmas meal with my “family”, my brothers and sisters at arms.
Mid-afternoon, the Wing Commander from our base back in the States arrived unexpectedly. He said “Merry Christmas”. I responded “Merry Christmas”. Then, he replied back “Bullsh*t”! Seems he like others could not fathom how much better Christmas could be while deployed.
I was free of commercial distractions. No cheesy ads to buy. I was free to meditate on the events of that first Christmas. I had attended midnight mass, saw the desert much as it appeared 2,000 years ago, and shared Christmas dinner with my “family”. The Muslim call to prayer reminded me that I was Christian, seperate from the world, and that I too was called to worship God throughout my day.
BTW, I managed to get that small Christmas tree home. Each year when I gaze upon it, I fondly recall one of my most favorite Christmases of all.
May each of you have a Holy Christmas. God bless…
Timothy, my experience with Christmas in a combat theater was similar to yours. My wife send 1000+ home baked Christmas cookies to me and my company in Vietnam. They were consumed by grateful troops in about 15 minutes!
I thought I had the best Christmas ever, until I read about a Marine sentry in Fallujah. This story about a Catholic chaplian will have you in tears, but it illustrates Christmas from a serviceperson’s view.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/122505/met_20655628.shtml
I agree with Timothy. We have lived in the Middle East many years and have spent several Christmases here. With the exception of missing family, every Christmas here has been more moving and spirit-filled than the obscene commercial spectacle going on in the US from mid-November on, not to mention the politically correct folks with their Happy Holiday. Muslim friends and co-workers give you a hearty Merry Christmas without hesitation.