This is always one of my favorite times of the year. It brings back memories of being a child and being so excited about Christmas coming. Then, it was probably more for the toys than anything else, but now looking back I can see that the most special part was spending time with family. Now that we are missionaries and live in Bolivia you might ask if there is much difference in the way we or the people here celebrate. In reality there are quite a few differences between the way Christmas is celebrated here and in the states. To start with the weather is quite different. Because we live south of the equator we are opposite seasons from the states. We are actually in the middle of summer with temperatures reaching into the upper 80’s. Not that I am complaining about warm weather, it just doesn’t seem as much like Christmas when it is this warm. Also here in Bolivia, like many spanish countries the 24th, Christmas eve, is actually bigger than the 25th. The tradition here is that families get together on the 24th and have a special meal starting after 10:00 pm. Then at 12:01am they exchange gifts and spend time together until one or two in the morning. Then on the 25th, Christmas day, they really don’t do anything and it is not even really a special day like the 24th. One thing that I have noticed for many people here is that Christmas itself sometimes is not even a special time. When I have asked if they have any special memories of Christmas, often they say that they don’t really have any special memories. I have tried to encourage them to not focus as much on the material part of Christmas but to try and make special memories remembering the Lord’s birth and spending time with family and friends. Even though I don’t get as many toys now as then, I enjoy even more spending time with the kids and making memories that will last for years to come.