Home for Christmas

This year, for the first time in almost six years, I spent Christmas at home, and it really helped me put things into perspective. I am usually working like a maniac during the holiday season! Christmas time is a busy time of year for everyone, but it is a great time to make money as a singer or musician in Japan. Couples want their romantic wedding under Christmas illuminations, company presidents want to show their workers a good time and reward them for a year of hard work by holding company parties, shopping malls want to show their Christmas spirit by holding special live 'gospel performances'. You get the picture. Although the country is not historically Christian and many people do not practice a religion of any kind, everybody loves Christmas in Japan. Except for me.

Don't get me wrong, I am from a Christian family and love all of the joy that the season brings. It's just that when I am in Japan I am usually alone for the holidays. Going out for dinner and buying presents for friends is fun, but when I return to my apartment the feelings of emptiness comes. Christmas to me is family gatherings and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer reruns on the television and stuffing myself with roast turkey and ham for days. When I'm in Japan, I can try to replicate that experience but it's never the same. Now I know people complain about how we've lost the Christ in Christmas and how commercialized the holiday has become. But until you've spent it away from family and friends, you'll never realize how special this time of year truly is!