On the Emperor's birthday (Dec. 23, national holiday) we went to lunch at our next door neighbor's home. We learned that it is very rare to be invited into the home of your Japanese neighbor here. For this invitation, we were so thankful and had a fun time. Later we had a fun Christmas jazz concert party with our team and friends and neighbors (47 adults, 25 kids) at Cafe Haus, a local popular restaurant.
But leading up to that day and on the day, we wished a lot of neighbors and clerks, "Merry Christmas!" I received more than a few beaming smiles from people who were not really expecting to hear that. I hope they could see the joy and deep, deep love of Christ communicated through us.
You hear a lot of classic Christmas songs and hymns in stores and restaurants during the Advent season. Our condo had a huge Christmas tree and decorations in the lobby and courtyard. A big illuminated sign read, "Merry Christmas!" This is evidence of western influence, and kind of a rare sight here (but you can see beautiful lights in a few other parts of our neighborhood and some huge displays of lights in Tokyo, too).
Christmas Eve is huge and people buy Christmas gifts. You don't hear much at all about the person of Jesus or see much about him at Christmas time here, though. He is not really what Christmas is about here, but we pray that will change. It is a blessing to be here for the Christ of Christmas, so that hopefully He will become more famous. We missed being away from family and loved ones this Christmas.
I think for me, Christmas time more than anything, exposes ways that I need Jesus and the gospel so much. My friends and family will confirm this.
I am savoring these Bible verses about Jesus during this first Christmas for us to do life in Japan. I need this same Jesus in my own heart to rule and reign by his grace in the same way everyday. Also, we long for him to be more famous here like these Scriptures long for and promise. I am reminded by these verses to find my comfort and confidence in his "reign of grace" that stretches everywhere, even Japan. May he be worshipped here at Christmas time and always. May his invisible kingdom be made more visible here in Tokyo!
Micah 4:1-5
The Mountain of the Lord
4 It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and it shall be lifted up above the hills;
and peoples shall flow to it,
and many nations shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,1
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall decide for strong nations far away;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore;
but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
and no one shall make them afraid,
for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.
For all the peoples walk
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
forever and ever.
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and it shall be lifted up above the hills;
and peoples shall flow to it,
and many nations shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,1
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall decide for strong nations far away;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore;
but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
and no one shall make them afraid,
for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.
For all the peoples walk
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
forever and ever.
Micah 5:2-4
1 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
