" 'Tis the season to be jolly-fa la la la la, la la, la la!"
Christmas parties!
We traveled the 2 1/2 hour drive to a farm near Kinistin First Nation just for a get-together.  We experienced fog, slow farmers in half-tons and finally clear blue skies on our way.  As we turned into the treed driveway, we saw a few familiar vehicles parked in the yard and could smell the woodsmoke from the stove heating the rambling farmhouse.  I looked forward with some excitement to the hugs and greetings from our fellow labourers of NAIM ministries when we entered the home.
We were greeted with hugs, smiles and offers to help us unload our potluck dishes, wrapped gifts and finally our coats.  The party was about to begin.
Well, not quite!  Some food needed to be heated.  Some folks were still on their way.  So we grabbed a coffee and began to visit...
About an hour later, our hosts announced dinner would be served.  As everyone, senior aged down to small children, bowed theirs heads to give thanks for the meal, I glanced around at the friends gathered here.  One couple were going through health challenges and were driving 3 times a week from La Ronge to Saskatoon for kidney dialysis.  Another couple were contemplating semi-retirement as they sought how to minister well.  Another couple had three little ones to contend with as they did youth ministry on the nearby Reserve.  Still another family brought their children and an extra-a foster baby whom they doted over with obvious love and affection!  What a mixed bunch we were and yet united here to celebrate Jesus' birth.
The mixture of food spread on the pool table that served as a buffet, reflected the unique and varied personalities in our missionary force.  One dish contained moist turkey meat-reflecting their American heritage as we celebrated on the "American Thanksgiving weekend".  Another salad was a favourite German dish prepared by the Mom of our missionary friend who was here to visit her daughter on the "mission field".  Yet another was sliced ham out of a package from Costco-indicating the urban ministry of another couple.
But the highlight of this year's party was the gift exchange-but we'll get to that in a minute...
After we had stuffed ourselves silly with delicious foods and, of course, desserts, we settled on couches in this huge room - a garage that had been converted into a large meeting room for this family's youth group ministry.  So the odd assortment of couches was arranged in a  semi-circle with the woodstove blazing away to keep us cozy.  The hosts had set up a lovely Christmas tree and strung lights around the perimeter of the meeting area.  It could have been a "Norman Rockwell" scene.
Song sheets were handed out and I tuned up my guitar.  We sang a few favourite carols and no doubt the kids wanted to "The Twelve Days of Christmas"!  I groaned.  But we started at the twelfth day and sang it down once to the 'Partridge in a pear tree' and called it good!
The eldest of our group was asked to share a Christmas devotional so he sat on a wooden chair by the stove and addressed us in his fatherly, kind voice.  "Did you know Paul had a Christmas account in the New Testament?"  What, I pondered.  No, only Luke and Matthew recorded Christ's birth story.  But Cliff went on..."Yes, the Apostle Paul gave us a nine-word version of the Christmas story so listen carefully... 'Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...'  And he went on to expound how this simple verse explained clearly why God sent His Son to be born on the earth in human form, why we as sinners needed Him so desperately to forgive and redeem us.  The other accounts of the Nativity gave details and proved the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies; Paul's few words summarized the greatest gift and sacrifice ever given.
The kids stirred excitedly as they spied the Christmas gifts they knew were next for the afternoon's agenda.  So the littlest ones each opened a gift and giggled and squealed with delight!  Then while the wrapping paper was jammed into a garbage bag, our hosts put the older kids' and adults' names in a bowl to be drawn for the big exchange.  Didn't know it was rigged...but that will come out later!
The first name was Liam Fink, a 13 year old boy who went for the biggest box under the tree.  As he lifted it, something started to slid in the box and Jesse helped him straighten it out.  What on earth...?  Liam opened the large box and to his surprise a baby pot belly pig stood inside!  Well, no one was going to steal the pig so Liam thought he would be safe in keeping this present.
The game progressed and various gifts were unwrapped, some stolen, others hidden under chairs so as not to be noticed and thus be kept by the original person!  Lots of laughter, teasing and fun filled this room.  Finally, the last name, Autumn Fink, was read out...Liam's older sister. Hmmmm she surveyed the room but went straight for the pig in a box, and sadly stole Liam's pig.  (Fortunately they live on a farm and their parents were fine with this unique Christmas gift!)  In exchange, Liam was stuck with a container of scented "Body Butter"!  One of the guys thought we could use that on the piglet and have a greased pig contest!  Ha Ha!
So, Autumn ended up with the pot belly pig- whom she named 'Diesel'- and Liam would still get to enjoy playing with it on the farm!
We had left home from Regina that morning just as the sun was rising.  We loaded our car and drove back down the treed lane as the sun was glowing pink in the western sky.  Tired, full and still smiling from the days' blessings, we turned onto the highway and held the memory of this NAIM Saskatchewan staff Christmas party in our hearts until next year...