I’m listening to Christmas music to try to convince my body that it’s almost Christmas. Usually by now I’m all up into the spirit of the season. I love the sensation of cold air trying to make its way through my warm jacket, the crackle of the fireplace, the smells of cold and peppermint and spices and cider, being with family. And this year none of those things are a part of my life during December. It happens to be coldish today (I am wearing a sweatshirt), I do have a bit of a cold, people burn trash every day, my yerba has a little bit of a smell, and I am with an extended church family, but it’s most certainly, definitely not the same. My body refuses to believe Christmas is 3 weeks away even though my brain knows it.
Listening to my music I took note that Brian Setzer was singing about the “Holy Night when Christ was born.” It strikes me that secular musicians that everyone knows (Elvis, Mariah Carey, even N’Sync – don’t ask) sing about the birth of Christ, but in the States the stores won’t put Christmas in their ads (I don’t care who you are, it’s not a daggone Holiday Tree). I realize that there are, in fact, Americans who don’t celebrate Christmas, and I respect that. I even know some Christians who don’t celebrate Christmas because they don’t want to idolize the day. But I wouldn’t insult a Jewish person by calling a menorah a “Holiday Candle Holder”. Everyone knows what it’s for, and I don’t think anyone’s offended by it if they don’t celebrate Hanukkah.
That’s one thing I like a lot about the country of Paraguay. *Everyone’s* Catholic. Even if you’re not Catholic, you’re still Catholic. The president is Catholic, and many of the decisions he makes are based on his faith (abortion is still outlawed here). Don’t get me wrong, he’s not a great president, but I will digress going down that road. Maybe later. Anyway, walking down the street you can see these really cool Nativity scenes people have in their yard. Most of the ones I’ve seen look like the ones made in Areguá, and I definitely want to snag one up before I come home (I will buy it, not steal it from someone’s yard). It’s weird seeing icecicle lights when it’s 100 degrees outside, but I’ll take what I can get. They even put up those plastic snowmen. Everyone’s celebrating Christmas. Even if some only do it for the party (it’s a lot like 4th of July), they still call it what it is.
Please, all of my loved ones back home, hang a decoration for me. Drink some cider for me. Make some fudge and eat it for me (I can’t…they don’t have marshmallows here). Give everyone in your family a hug, and if you see mine give them one too. Embrace the warmth in the cold, and toss a log on the fire for me too. I’ll see you soon.
¡Que ustedes pasen una Navidad maravillosa y espectacular!
-j
PS> Could someone from Varina please take a few pictures of that house on Strath Rd. and email it to me? I want to show my friends how ridiculous some people are. 
I'm Jason, and I like to write.
Here is a little bit of ridiculous American Christmas. I had to laugh as I read this post because I know it will be me this year. But every time I go outside its just so cold.. I think about a summer christmas instead of 19 degrees.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot-B4V8oqPQ
Not sure what your connection speed is like down there, but here is a video of the house you speak of on Strath Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gVSq030ED4&feature=related