Making Spirits Bright

Thanksgiving has come and gone. I can’t say Sam and I had a very traditional celebration. We went to school and later helped out at the youth hostel. We ate dinner at the canteen, came home and talked to our families. I tried to stream the Macy’s Day parade, but CBS wouldn’t let me. We didn’t have a church service. It was all very strange. We did manage to get part of a turkey though! With only two of us, we didn’t think a whole turkey would be a good idea. We still have some in our tiny fridge. It really turned out pretty well, considering we never know the temperature our oven is on and the fact that we have never in our lives attempted to cook turkey. In regards to cooking, every week we learn something new that, either we probably already should have known, or something that is just different in the Hungarian world. We’ve started to make Christmas sugar cookies, decorating them with icing and sprinkles. I thought we would need green food coloring. I bought some, realizing later that is was almond flavored. It wasn’t the worst mistake I could have made. I took some to the teacher that I work with and they were gone in five minutes. Thanks mom for sending me the recipe!

I took it upon myself to teach my students about Thanksgiving. Technically, I am supposed to teach English conversation and American culture, so I didn’t feel guilty making them learn about pilgrims. In the fifth grade classes, I had students watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and answer questions about what they understood about the video. They enjoyed it. Nobody can resist Snoopy. I enjoyed it probably a little more than they did. Realizing that I am also a history teacher, a fellow teacher has asked me to teach a lesson on the history of America. I’m not sure how I will be able to fit America’s history into one class period, but I’ll try my best.

Since Hungarian’s don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, they focus on preparing for Christmas. Their Christmas traditions start a little earlier than it does in the U.S. because December 6th is Santa Clause Day. Basically, this means everyone brings candy to school. The classes hold little parties and at home they leave their boots on the windowsill before bed. Santa fills their boots with candy during the night. For parents, this means cleaning the boots that are caked with mud and quick runs to the stores to grab some chocolate. Apparently, Santa Clause employs little demons to distribute candy to friends and family during the day. Later, on Christmas Eve, the children understand that the presents they receive come from Jesus, not Santa.

The Christmas market in the city square is officially open. There were hundreds of people crowding around hot wine booths and chimney bread stands. Traditional meat dishes sizzled over hot ranges. We watched as the mayor of Nyiregyhaza lit the first candle on a giant Advent wreath. A choir sang beautiful Christmas songs until everyone’s toes were cold and we went home. Upon arriving at home, we decided to make sugar cookies, the same sugar cookies I make at home every Christmas season, complete with colorful frosting and a few mooses with missing limbs. It gave us an excuse to eat them. We shared them with our fellow teachers throughout the week. I already knew they were, but it was confirmed that these cookies were awesome when teachers began to ask me for the recipe.

I am looking forward to several things this December. One of these is seeing what Christmas is like for a Hungarian. I’m also looking forward to the potential of putting on a Christmas skit with the youth group we have every Friday. I always get excited about giving gifts. (Most of the gifts I bought are from Amazon and shipped straight home.) I’m excited to be in Slovakia with a friend during Christmas break. I enjoy listening to Mannheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra on Pandora and even the silly (but in English!) Christmas songs playing in the malls. Even though I will miss many things about home, I’m excited to celebrate Jesus’ birth. He is the reason why I have this opportunity to serve His people in Hungary. He’s the reason why I am going to heaven and I will see all of my Hungarian friends and be able to talk to them without any problem! Saying prayers of thanksgiving for all of these blessings is important, as is praying for safety and peace for the world during this holiday. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that you remember why you are celebrating!