As I anticipate Christmas with my two children, I remember my childhood and my very different, but still wonderful, Christmases. I was born and grew up in Lithuania. During World War II it was occupied by Russia and made part of the Soviet Union. That was the end of freedom of speech and the open practice of faith. And so, when I was growing up, I learned early to keep secrets well. Our family’s faith in God was the greatest secret. If the secret got out, life-shattering consequences would occur.
In our home the Prayer Book and the New Testament were hidden in the drawer under the linens. Our Christmas and Easter celebrations were hidden from neighbors and friends, but, despite that, they were very special and wonderful to me; probably because children enjoy secretive things.
On Christmas Eve my father always tried to come home earlier. I would wait for him at the window, staring into the dark. As soon as he was home, we rushed to go to my Grandmother’s where our family and all aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered for a Christmas Eve dinner. How excited I was! I still recall the long table dressed in a white tablecloth covered in twelve traditional Lithuanian dishes. The dishes represented the twelve disciples; the hay under the cloth was to remind us of the stable Jesus was born in. On each plate there was a square Holy Communion wafer for everyone to share with others at the table, as we wished one another peace. I never told anyone at school that we did this. I loved Christmas and it was my most precious secret.
There were many Lithuanians sharing the Christmas meal and remembering Christ on his birth during those years. I am thankful to God for my family who loyally passed on their faith to me so I could pass it on to my children. But, oh, what a joy, what a privilege now to be able to believe openly, share freely, read the Bible and enjoy the company of other believers in America and Lithuania alike!
I wish you a most joyful Christmas!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
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