Celebrating Christmas in Asia is much different than at home.  I have missed driving through familiar neighborhoods and viewing beautiful homes all lit up with Christmas lights.  I also miss walking into my local Target filled with an array of decorations, stocking stuffer gifts, and holiday music.  Here in China the extent of Christmas feel comes from store-front shops displaying artificial Christmas trees decorated with cheap garland and plastic balls.I can thank my new friend, Kim Culp, who reminded me of a way to bring the true celebration of Christmas to my family.  With a house full of mostly teens, we often forget the child-like faith of celebrating Jesus’ birthday.  I’m so thankful we have little Megan to keep celebrations fresh.  Kim invited Megan to a Christmas party for her new son Isaac (a Chinese orphan boy who God has miraculously given a chance at life).   Isaac, a liver transplant survivor, is in the final stages of being adopted into the Culp family.The party was a birthday party for Jesus.  Kim had prepared little “gingerbread” Nativity houses for the kids to decorate.  She prepared figurines for Mary, Joseph, angels and baby Jesus, made of marshmellows, fruit wrap and other fun candy items.After the toddlers made their nativity houses, Kim read them the Christmas story, then they sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and ate cupcakes.  This party was on Dec. 17th, eight days before Christmas day.As I made preparations for our own Christmas this year, I began feeling a little down that I could not cook some of my favorite menu items, or shop at my favorite retailers to purchase gifts for the kids.  Megan reminded us of the party for Jesus.  Sean grabbed ahold of the idea (as he always does) and made it a BIG party.  He, Michael, Jessie and Maddie went shopping at a nearby “stuff” mart.  They didn’t find birthday party hats, but did find king crowns, balloons, garland, horn blowers, and lights.

On Christmas Day they decorated our hotel room for the big event.  We had one of the best birthday parties ever for Jesus, complete with birthday cake and water balloon toss game.

Balloon Toss game, Megan gets the hang of throwing them…but can she catch one?

First try…not quite.

Second try…in the face!

Third try…nice catch!

Michael plays too, what a sweet big brother.

Thank you Jesus for the excitement of children, and the sweet, simple pleasure that they find in a birthday party.