Christmas in Tsuruoka

As usual, in this year I celebrate Christmas far from my family. Fortunately, substituting them I have the `family` of Tsuruoka Catholic Church consisting mostly of Japanese believers warming my heart in that holy day. In Japan, it is not only the country ageing but also the Church ageing. Most of the believers are matured persons and I am the one of very rare young persons in this church. They are like my parents and I feel the familiarity from their presence including greeting and conversation after the mass.

The essence of Christmas actually is simplicity and humility since Jesus Christ was born in the very unpretentious place i.e. a cave usually used to protect the sheep from hostile weather. This fact strengthens me in my solitude and helps me to understand why He chose that place. The atmosphere of humbleness can be discerned from the solemnity of the mass of the Christmas Eve.

My loneliness also can be relieved by the white Christmas since in my home country we never experience Christmas naturally decorated by snow as I saw in the movies in my childhood. That fantasy world comes true in Tsuruoka and I hope I will be able to still perceive this impression in the coming years.