'Tis the season

 I will bet that you will have little to no time to read this post - so I will keep it short.  The joy of Christmas is easily crowded out by traffic, "Feliz Navidad" on an eternal music loop in the mall, and remembering at the last minute that you need a pollyanna gift for the office party.  We feel the tyranny of the urgent crushing in on us, too, with special and extra church services.  In addition to the normal Christmas milieu in Jamaica is the hustle of a national election on December 29th. 

Jamaicans are serious about their politics and wear their party affiliation colors proudly.  Unlike the American electoral process, there is no set date for electing a government.  Because it is a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister calls for an election and, BAM!, 27 days later there will be a new government.  As a result, the campaign is fast, furious, and completely foreign to us.  If you need a picture, simply imagine the last week of the presidential election times 10.  Here is a video of nomination day in one town.  The video was taken while I was driving to the bank; it took me 30 minutes to travel no more than 1/2 a mile - but every inch was entertaining. 

That said, this Christmas (our third in Jamaica) we are not spending alone.  Kirsten's parents and brother were able to come down and share in the 80 degree Christmas.  We are thrilled to have them and are looking forward to sharing Christmas with them.  Despite the hustle, we are intentionally taking time to reflect upon the goodness of God in sending His Son.  Christmas in Jamaica is certainly different than in the States.  What is not different is the Gospel, which broke into history in a tangible, incarnate way that first Christmas!  We hope you find rest and joy in Christ our Savior and Lord even in the midst of the hustle and bustle. 

From Kirsten, Trevor, and me - Merry Christmas!