Christmas on a Hindu Island

The skies are cloudy and palm trees wave gently in the wind. I hear the sounds of two young girls – my 14 year old and our friend’s 7 year old – in the pool below me. There is a rooster crowing in the distance and the birds chirping. I am sitting on a secluded deck that looks out the South Pacific Sea; the temperature is a humid but comfortable 80 degrees.

The resort we are at is called the Bali Paradise, located in the north part of Bali called Lovina. We intentionally selected a quieter area of Bali to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, but we are literally one of three families in this resort that could hold ten families.  When we are in China, it seems there are people everywhere all the time.  Therefore, to have this slow pace of life and this seclusion is precious to us. 

The beach here is not what many tourists would prefer.  It is local, with farmers still residing on its shores with their cows, pigs, chickens; wash is hanging to dry and women cook food in outdoor kitchens.  It is the wet season, so trash has washed up to many parts of the shore.  It is not pristine, but it is real and its inevitability reminds one of human impact. Eventually it will be cleaned up, not for tourists, but to use any sellable materials found.

For the most part, Bali is Hindu. What I read explained that it is a Balinese form of Hinduism that incorporates some of the island beliefs within its faith.  The temples are amazing, as are the multitudes of alters in every location imaginable. There are offering places all over these temples as well as the alters. We visited a Temple on the Lake, and then to a temple on Menjangan Island, and will head to southern Bali to visit a temple on the shore of the Pacific called Pura Tanah Lot.   

Celebrating Christmas in Bali, Indonesia is strange; no snow and cold weather, little to no Christian churches and no pressure for last minute gift buying.  When you celebrate away from your extended family, there is a bittersweet combination of guilt and relief. I have always enjoyed the pressure and excitement of this season, but I also can see (from a distance) that when one puts too much pressure on the event it actually creates stress instead of pleasure.

For our Christmas celebration, we “skyped” our parents; a truly miraculous tool for those living overseas. (I also spent time on Facebook – another great tool for sharing with friends from all over the world!)We opened presents with our 7 year-old friend, Sarah. Our day was spent learning about Balinese culture with a visit to a waterfall, temple, and hot springs. Christmas dinner included homemade pasta and a filet mignon for Daniel. We even managed a few Christmas cookies from the German baker up the road.

Most importantly, we felt grateful for the opportunities life offers. Near or far, there is a "reason for the season" and love of God is alive and well here in Bali.