Christmas In Iraq

Christmas in Iraq can be downright depressing. You are away from your loved ones, your home, all that is familiar.

There may be a tree in the defac, but sometimes, depending on the base, there is none. No tree in your quarters, no lights, no manger scene.

No brightly wrapped gifts piled under the non-existent tree. No Christmas shopping, no taking the kids to sit on Santa's lap. No getting to go to your church for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services.

Christmas in Iraq is such a letdown. So you try to make it better by celebrating as best as you can with some buddies. Keep a positive attitude.

Consider ordering some gifts online for your family and have them sent back home. If you are fortunate, your family has shipped you some gifts on time and they arrive undamaged.

Keep a positive attitude. Others around you will be discouraged and depressed. Someone should try and cheer them up so it might as well be you! Smile, act cheerful and some of it will rub off on your buddies.

If you notice that some of your buds did not receive anything from home, share some of the holiday cookies that your family sent you. Go to the PX and buy some chocolates, cookies, or a DVD and give it to that fellow soldier/worker who did not receive a Christmas package. It will make you feel better.

Remember that it really is about the giving, not the getting. Most importantly, remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, not gifts, trees, or lights. Of course, they make it fun, but the real reason for Christmas is that God sent His Son to be our Savior!

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