Christmas in the Bagh'

Nothing like Christmas in Baghdad.

No really, I mean it - there is nothing like Christmas in Baghdad; in fact, there is no Christmas in Baghdad (at least outside of a home or church). It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who thinks about it, but as you move around Iraq (external to a FOB), there is no evidence of anything Christmas-related - no commercial clues, certainly no social indications.

Issue a 'Blinding flash of the obvious' alert, you might say, but it does shock the psyche for one accustomed to the holiday sensory inputs starting as early as October every year. On the FOBs and the Embassy there are some decorations, but they aren't very convincing.

Now Christmas cookies and candy - that is another story all together. Good grief, you would think all of our families are convinced we are starving to death. There is a filing cabinet (the same one where Leroy Benson, King of the Sea Monkey, lives) currently dedicated as the "Shrine of the Beloved Christmas Cookie & Candy Trough". Offerings are seemingly brought there by the staff hourly. You could not possibly work off all the calories taken from the Trough if you spent all non-snacking hours on the StairClimber. I am actually sick of chocolate - a condition not thought possible by the clinicians (mental and health) who have cared for me over the years. Cooper - I saw a Snickers bar in an "Any Soldier" care package and did not grab it. 'Nuf said...

The Trough

I had planned to share my sugar and gingerbread cookies but after seeing the gorging here in the cubicle farm, I reconsidered. Now I sit in my CHU, guilt-ridden, as I stuff them into my pie-hole watching Battlestar Galactica all alone. It sounds pathetic and it is...

My Christmas Wishes:
Thanks to the many of you who have sent me Christmas greetings, letters and prayers. As many of these blog entries have tried to communicate - I am as comfortable and safe as possible here in the Embassy. I will miss being with Sandy, Cooper and Koa during the holidays, but I know how bad I could have it and how bad many of our warriors and civilians contributing to the defense of our nation do have it. Please take a minute to pray for those brothers and sisters - may they take some measure of comfort knowing the important role they fill as they feel the weight of being separated from their loved ones and their holiday traditions.

Additionally, the reality of life as an Iraqi Christian should not go unmentioned as we celebrate Christmas. That community struggles, and in some cases - gravely risks, to celebrate the birth of Christ in this country
(Link to an article about Christians in Mosul  and NY Times Article - "Abbreviating Christmas in Iraq" ).
Few Christians remain here in Iraq (as many as 2/3rds are estimated to have fled since 2003 - see the links under "Interesting Articles"), and those that have stayed, do so under serious threat.

My prayer for this Christmas would be for an Iraq that commits to the basic human right to exercise the religion of one's choice - actively supporting (politically/socially) and successfully protecting that freedom. The chaplains here do a great job in engaging political and religious leadership to gauge advances in this arena. My impression is that there may be some improvement in the political sphere (hopefully more than lip service) but trepidation on behalf of the Christian community to lower their guards and to openly embrace or participate. It is just not safe enough to hope yet...

Christmas in the Zone:

Combat Kringle Heading Out of the IZ (he is catching the Blackhawk I just got off)

Link to Stars & Stripes Cover Story - Combat Kringle

As for me, Christmas will actually be a day off. The Chaplian is having a Christmas Eve service in the late afternoon and Sandy & Coop will Skype into my Christmas Eve (we carry on the Benson tradition of opening one present n Christmas Eve). Tomorrow morning, we will Skype for their Christmas Eve/my Christmas and then once more for their Christmas morning. It sounds complex but I think we will pull it off! The Energy & Services Division will have Christmas dinner together and I'm thinking I will have my first Pizza Hut pizza and watch "Elf" to celebrate Christmas Eve. Pretty basic but you take what you can get...

May you and your family have a great Christmas (white, tropical or sandy), receiving God's blessing that we celebrate today.

A Chuville Christmas 2009

Grace & peace -
Chris