It’s hard to believe that another December is here! Our American family was new to Spain last December, unsure of what to expect over our first Christmas and New Years in Spain. We wondered if we’d feel homesick or if Christmas outside of the U.S. would feel foreign to us, like a holiday that just didn’t feel the same. We were so thrilled to learn quickly that Christmas did feel like it did back at home: full of love, rest, gratitude and extra time together as a family.
After having down-sized from a 3,600 sq ft farmhouse on three acres in the U.S. to a 1,200 sq ft apartment in Valdebebas, Christmas last year didn’t feel much difference. We still had the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree, a mug full of cocoa (albeit ColaCao) and presents along with the presence of each other. It turns out that the size of your home, or your Christmas tree, or the presents under the tree don’t at all determine a successful Christmas. The holiday is perfected by focusing on the birth of Jesus, our Savior, alongside family.
As we head into our second Christmas here in Madrid, we are expectant for another Christmas full of love and gratitude. When we shift our focus from presents, and busyness and too many social events that lead to stress, we end up enjoying the simplicity of the season: stillness.
A Very, Merry Christmas to all of the LIFE families – praying that you feel that stillness, peace and solitude that arrives as gifts during the Christmas season. We are grateful for another Christmas season in Spain, making memories and savoring time together.
Meg James, American Mom and Travel Writer, @goanddogood
