Friday, December 9, 2022
“Mele Kalikimaka”
When speaking with friends and colleagues around the country, I am often asked what it’s like to live in the tropics during the Holidays. I suppose most folks probably wish for a White Christmas and they assume that we islanders long for the same. That’s true. Some local folks are, in fact, preparing to go back north for the Holidays to try and catch some of those fond Christmas snowflakes before returning to the beach to begin their New Year.
It’s hard not to wish for a snowy, white Christmas Day. I’ve only experienced a couple of them in my lifetime, and, even though the odds were always against it, thoughts of brisk, wintry weather on Christmas Day were prevalent each year.
Things are different now. I’ve traded in my fireplace and snow boots for sunscreen and flip-flops. I don’t yet know if Christmas Day will be a good beach day, but I’d say that the odds are definitely in our favor. The sun is usually bright and the weather is almost always warm, just as one might expect.
Otherwise, though, things are pretty much the same here as everywhere else: Decorations, lights, and smiles are prevalent everywhere! Churches are preparing Advent wreaths and special Holiday parties and gatherings are planned. On the island, we might not be walking through some fresh snow, but the sand on the beach will be an adequate substitute.
Whether we are dreaming of the snow or beach, it’s important to remember that we are blessed. Food will be on the table. Socks will be on our feet. We will have beds to sleep in and roofs over our heads.
Today is a day of blessings. Let us give thanks to the LORD and be glad in it!
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1, NRSV)