Christmas Story 2024

Holiday Harmony - Newfold Style

The clock struck midnight. I awoke to find a tiny figure standing next to me. “I am Lumi, the Newfold Spirit of Holiday Harmony. Come with me, and I’ll show you the flavors that bring us together.”

 Before I could respond, the room vanished.

We landed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The streets buzzed with laughter as Lumi introduced me to Asado, a grilled beef with a smokey tenderness. This included pan dulce, a sweet bread speckled with dried fruit and nuts that brings us all together to share in the joy. “Here,” Lumi said, “food is a ritual of love and togetherness.”

We then went to Cebu, Philippines. I was greeted by festive lanterns and the aroma of Lechón, its crispy skin a holiday centerpiece. I tried the Sisig served with chopped pork and chicken liver. Lumi then handed me Puto Bumbong, a purple rice cake topped with coconut and sugar. “This is their way of savoring sweetness after a night of prayer,” Lumi explained.

Next, we found ourselves amidst the lively streets of Mumbai, India. Lumi guided me to a table filled with vibrant dishes. I sampled Undhiyu, a fragrant vegetable medley cooked with aromatic spices, scooped up with soft, warm Chapati bread. Each dish is a labor of love that brings people together.

Suddenly, I was home. The scents of cinnamon and masa swallowed me up. My family laughed as they prepared tamales, stirring champurrado in a steaming pot. “These traditions,” my family said, “remind us of who we are and what we share.”

I sat down, taking a tamale. Lumi’s light faded as a voice lingered. “The spirit of the season isn’t in faraway places. It’s in the love you bring to your own table.”

The journey ended, but the warmth of the holidays had just begun.

Mango Navidad

(2nd story submission)

Years ago, I found myself in Mexico during the holiday season, serving as a missionary. The climate was a far cry from the snowy winters I was accustomed to, with its sweltering heat and occasional cool breezes. Learning Spanish was a constant struggle. There were days when I felt like I was losing my grip on English, unable to find the right words in either language.

One day, while decorating a small tree with makeshift ornaments, a ripe mango fell from above, hitting me square on the head. I slipped on another, sending decorations flying. Neighbors, drawn by the commotion, gathered around. They brought their own holiday traditions, turning my mishap into a lively fiesta. My attempts to explain snow and Santa led to hilarious misunderstandings, but the laughter was infectious.

It was during these moments that my Spanish started to improve. Interacting with my neighbors, I felt something change. You might think it was the mango knocking sense into me, but it was really the connections I made that helped the language become a part of me.
As we shared stories and traditions, I realized the true spirit of Christmas wasn’t about snow or presents, but about joy and togetherness. Surrounded by new friends and falling mangoes, I felt a deep sense of contentment.

Just as I was about to break a festive piñata, another mango fell, narrowly missing me. Everyone burst into laughter, and I knew this would be a Christmas to remember.