No Empty Manger

I saw mangers today, just like the ones you see in so many stores at home, all wood and covered in straw.  I asked the sales clerk where the figures that go inside where and he said; "We don't have those Madam."  No Nativity figures or even the full Nativity glued into the manger, just empty mangers.

It's ten days before Christmas and here in Abu Dhabi it doesn't always feel like that everywhere you go.  There are Christmas decorations in the major hotels, especially those catering to expats.  But other then the hotels, and some one's home, and stores selling Christmas items you don't see a lot of them.  The streets and buildings still have plenty of lights on them but they are still up celebrating the beginning of the 37th year of the U.A.E.  The big celebration began on December 2nd, National Day.  

Yes, Christmas items starting showing up in the larger stores like Ikea, Lulu's, and Carrafour the day after Halloween.  Other stores, although not many, began to follow suit quickly in early November with Holiday decor, much of it quite outlandish and very commercial.  From artificial trees of absolutely any color you can imagine to wrapping paper and Christmas cards, it's all here for purchase.  Santa's abound in every form of decoration available!  What I have not seen much of are decorations that point to the origin of Christmas.  It's not like I'm surprised to see no angels, wisemen, nativities, etc.  After all, we do live in a Muslim country.  I did see Christmas cards in Hallmark that have scripture on them and pictures of either the Nativity and the Christ child.   I am quite thankful that faiths others than Islam are permitted to observe their beliefs and that Churches of many denominations are not only allowed but are growing everyday here in the United Arab Emirates.  

I can only speak for myself, and I do know for me, Christmas has a very special meaning.  It's about celebrating the birth of Christ, the Son of God.  In the Muslim faith they recognize Jesus as a great Prophet but do not recognize him as God's son.  So do Muslim's celebrate Christmas?  I can't answer that because I don't really know.  Where many probably don't, I wouldn't be surprised if some do.  Christmas is such an old tradition in so many parts of the world and celebrated so differently from one to the next and doesn't have the same meaning to everyone.

  

What is missing for me this Christmas is so many of the "American Traditions" that I am used to.  Like Christmas cards arriving in the mail everyday.  Seeing Christmas lights turn on at the 

blink of dusk.  Yards decorated from the simple to looking like Santa threw up on them!  Attending cookie swaps.  So many Christmas parties that they overfill the calendar and especially Children's Christmas programs.  Christmas Eve candlelight services.  Hearing Christmas music playing in every store you walk in.  Bells ringing at the Salvation Army stands, and Santa Claus at every mall.  I haven't seen a Santa yet but I have been told they are at some of the hotels and are skinny men from India with white pancake makeup on.  Honestly, I could easily live without ever seeing one.

What I'm not missing this Christmas is the reason, the meaning for me.  And where there might not be many visual reminders that we are celebrating the birth of Christ, there is the reminder in my heart.  Every time I look at my hot pink Christmas tree or walk in a store and see            an empty manger.  I know the manger that Christmas morning over two thousand years ago was not empty.  That Christ my King was born that morn, in a stable because there was no room in the inn.  And for me and my heart, there is plenty of room.  I hope this Christmas Season if you find yourself overwhelmed in "Christmas" activities that you find a moment to reflect on that baby that slept in that manger so many Christmas mornings ago in Bethlehem.