Our First Time
The first time we went to the Rose Parade was in 2008. To put it bluntly, we were unprepared. People start setting up “camp” on the sidewalks of Colorado Boulevard around noon the day before. It’s bright and sunny, people are smiling and jovial. We too set up a few chairs. Once the sun goes down people are lighting their fires and throwing marshmallows and shaving creamed tortillas at the brave souls willing to drive past.
As midnight rolled around we started to realize how cold it really gets—and how much we miss our warm beds at home. Unfortunately for us we thought a few extra layers would keep us warm, but to no avail. We were freezing! We had a couple of blankets that we laid down on the street and tried sleeping on, but the numbing cold crept up from the asphalt and kept us awake all night.
It’s really a reminder to me how good we have it. We have a roof over our heads and a warm bed to sleep in every night. I think about the homeless, who do this every night. I also think about the people around the world who suffer these same conditions, living in poverty. It makes me appreciate the comforts, and luxuries, we enjoy. We are by no means rich, but compared to the rest of the world we are very well off. We take things for granted that others would give an arm and a leg for. So the last night of the year has become in a sense an exercise in humility for us as we rough it on the streets on Pasadena.
When Morning Comes
Sometimes we are able to get in a few hours of sleep here and there, other times we’re not. But as soon as the sun starts to peak out from behind the horizon everything changes. The atmosphere is transformed to one of joy and expectation. Hope is born! I remember why we’ve spent the night in misery, suffering from the cold.
It’s a grand celebration as the jets fly by overhead and everyone looks up with joy-filled eyes knowing that it’s here, it has begun. As the sun rises higher into the sky the cold disappears and we start to remove our coats for we no longer need them. The meticulously constructed floats slowly make their way through the crowd as all stand in awe. The bands march in sync without missing a note.
I think that most of us, especially in America, have come to believe that suffering and struggling are bad things. We are not willing to go through difficult times, to work hard, to sacrifice. We want everything now. But life is not just about the celebrations, but also the suffering, the cold nights. Those who are willing to brave the cold nights of suffering are the ones who will join in the celebration first-hand. The others can watch it on TV or hear about how great it was, but it’s not the same.
“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.”
During Advent we waited in darkness for the light of the Son to come up over the horizon and chase away the coldness of night. Now during Christmas—all twelve days of Christmas—we celebrate and rejoice in Jesus Christ who brought light into the world and into our hearts. And those of us who are willing to endure to the end will be with Him in the heavenly celebration of His eternal love. Merry Christmas!