Merry Christmas

For the past week and a half we have been camping out at The Coledale Beach Camping Reserve in a suburb of Sydney. Our intent, and resulting success, was to soak up some sun and live as cheaply as possible with every earthly possession fitting, with us, in two tents. By the end of 10 days we felt quite at home in our surroundings and became good friends with the reserve owner and several locals. (Cheers to you Luke, Ben, Chad, & Norm! Thanks for your kindness, hospitality, and for showing us a truly good time)

While every past Christmas Eve has been spent with a host of family and friends, this one finds us en route to Brisbane on the 4:30 train.
Although it does not feel like a typical Christmas, I need to remind myself that it really should not. For one, it seems fitting to be a foreigner commemorating the sacred birth of Christ. Was He not also a stranger, not simply in Bethlehem but to the world at large? He came to live among us but He wandered the earth much like we are doing, living generally on the kindness and hospitality of locals along the way. This trip has opened our eyes to the benevolence bestowed upon us by people we have met. This Christmas we are thankful for the gift of friendship and the way each encounter brings us a glimpse into the heart of Christ. It is His love manifested in acts of kindness that gives us joy this Christmas Season.

A very Joyous Christmas to you and yours!
~Grace-Emma