Well, I am crushed. I tend to be an idealist. I tend to think that commercialism doesn't plague the Christmas season. Coming to the "old world", I just knew I'd never see a hint of Christmas until the eve or two before the blessed day. I knew that little old European women would spend months crafting homemade treasures to sell in quaint shops just in the nick of time for the holiday season. I just knew that I would even forget the holiday season was upon me because of the lack of singing Santa's, gold metallic Christmas trees, and Barbie dressed as an elf Christmas wrapping paper. I was wrong and I have the photos to prove it!

I'm sure it's not IKEA's fault. I'm sure it's just the nasty corporate big wigs that are thrusting the Western commercialism of the Christmas season down their throats. Right?

Despite the Christmas decoration throw up in the front doors of IKEA, we managed to enjoy ourselves and I have the photos to prove it! Since we spent most of every waking moment upon arrival in IKEA, the girls have been suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when thinking about going. However, we walked through their hesitations and threatened them .. I mean convinced them ... into going. I am an official member of the IKEA Family and have the card to prove it. This card entitles me to two free coffee's upon each visit plus a discounted rate on hot chocolate and cappuccino. So, at the family price of 2,20 Euro we enjoyed a warm treat on a cold day at one of my favorite places!

Please don't let my sarcasm alarm you and cause you to think I am against the Christmas holidays. Quite the contrary! For those of you who know me well, I am the ultimate sappy Christmas holiday memory maker and cry at all Hallmark commercials that play Christmas music in the background. I even like the tacky animated M and M guys that wear Santa hats - that's just the kind of jovial holiday lover I am. I am just opposed to over marketing the season as a time to shower unwanted gifts upon each other and never once bat an eye to the real meaning of the season.

This year, as I am a foreigner in a distant land, I tend to think about how Mary and Joseph must have felt, traveling all the way to Bethlehem.

Last night I had the privilege of being invited to a girls night out. There were 8 women from 8 different countries speaking 8 different mother tongues having only German in common. We went to a local restaurant, enjoyed fresh pumpkin soup and spent 4 hours together. Some drank wine, others drank the local fruit saft, and other water. Some ate soup with salad, some ate only soup, and one had pasta. We were all so different. It didn't matter if we didn't know the right words or used a different verb tense with the subject, communication was happening. As I sat there, I thought about how Christ gathered people where they were and loved them as they were. It didn't matter that we all came from distant lands, we were all united as women ... as friends. I felt truly loved by these gals. Once Europeans get to know you, there is a greeting that is used to display great affection and warmth. You can see it when they greet or leave the company of dear friends. Last night as we all parted, each woman kissed the cheeks of the other. It was their sign to me that I was a part of them. As I made my way to the UBahn, I wondered how many times strangers left the presence of Jesus, kissing his cheeks and calling him friend. He gave me that privilege last night.

Never forget that all people in all lands desire to be a part of something. If we, who know the treasure of being a part of God through His Son Jesus Christ can share bits and pieces of Him to those around us ... think how marvelous Christmas could really be!

P.S. My first week of cutting back has been a tremendous blessing! God has promised that as I pull back He will bear much fruit in my life and the life of my family. Last night was just a small glimpse of what's ahead!