Christmas in Bangkok

Imagine Christmas in the midst of summer and that’s pretty much what it feels like here in Bangkok. The calendar says December but the weather indicates mid-July with 95 degree (35C) temperatures on average. This was my first Christmas "at home" in shorts!

I sure wish it was easier to join family and friends in Canada/US but my visits will have to wait till the calendar and hot temperatures coordinate in a familiar way: next summer.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the lights in my apartment, sharing moments with friends and taking in the amazing Christmas decorations around the city. The Thai people certainly know how to decorate for Christmas, even along city streets that light the way for vendors on sidewalks.

The malls around the city don't seem to spare any expense for Christmas displays either...

How great to attend Christmas events that focus on the meaning of the season. In fact, the oldest Anglican-Episcopalian church in downtown Bangkok, built in 1864 with permission from the King of Thailand, hosted a candlelight service the week before Christmas. A beautiful pageantry of lights, carols and reading of Scripture.

This service made me realize, once again, that Christmas is celebrated the world over. Regardless of where I live, I can join others who worship the One and only God, the King of kings, who came to earth to show us the way of salvation and eternal life with Him. What an incredible service. A highlight for me occurred when we took candles outdoors and sang Silent Night to our neighbors.

Wherever you happen to be right now, I wish one and all the joy of the Christmas message throughout the year to come -- a message of eternal hope and peace that only God can provide!

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9)