Celebrating Christmas halfway around the world presents its own challenges. Christmas trees are hard to come by (we bought a small artificial tree at rather a high price). Most people here don't mark Christmas in the same way (New Year's is bigger).

But, nevertheless, we gather on Christmas eve with a number of fellow travelers for an evening of food and festivity--complete with white elephant gift exchange!--and share a moment together. After, we return home, and Alex diligently puts out a carrot, some Oreos, and some iced water for Santa and the reindeer (gotta watch Santa's waistline!).

The miracle of Christmas is that tiny thing, the faith of a child in the magic that is Christmas. The belief that magic still exists. And, you know what? I think it still does.