As I sat to begin writing this article, although I didn't know what my topic was going to be, I suddenly felt like listening to one of my Christmas CDs! And that naturally suggested the topic of "Christmas Away from Home". So as the music plays I write this.

Christmas is the only time of the year when I feel homesick. In Taiwan, where Christmas is not celebrated and where Christmas Day is a normal working day, this sense of homesickness is more acute. Calling home and hearing what everyone is doing on that day and how family members are engaged in a shared experience does not help the situation either. However, the thought of not calling home would be even more depressing.

Strangely enough, for a country where Christmas has absolutely no cultural and communal significance, Christmas paraphernalia can be seen and bought everywhere in Taiwan. Christmas music plays in Christmas decorated stores, creating the illusion that Christmas is as big a deal here as anywhere else in the Christian world. This illusion is shattered as soon as you ask people what Christmas is about. Most people here have never heard of the Christmas story about Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the angels, shepherds or wise men. But, like the rest of the world, the immaculate conception is a concept far more incredible than Santa Claus.

So, what is Christmas in Taiwan all about? It's a time of colorful displays and children putting on Christmas shows and singing Christmas songs to show how good their English is. And it's a time of Christmas cards. Few people give Christmas gifts, but many, mostly young people, exchange cards, of which an amazing beautiful variety can be found in stores.

And it's about people like me realizing just how important a family tradition Christmas is.

1 December 2002

Dion Marc Delport

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