Cambodians are so sweet when they wish you not just a merry Christmas, but a happy one in English. =) In Khmer, we say “Suess Die Bon No-ile!” which means “Hello Christmas!” The KEC (Khmer Evangelical Church) churches in the area each have their own Christmas program on a different day in December. The program includes lots of singing (the children and youth also sing songs with hand actions) and there is usually a skit and a sermon. It is also used as an opportunity to invite people in the area to visit the church. After the program, lunch is served, which is usually curry with bread and noodles or soup with rice. I was able to attend four of the church programs this month. This past Sunday was the Christmas program at Bethlehem church in Battambang and it was really nice. Here is a picture of me and my teammates.
I am in Phnom Penh this week and it is so different from Battambang town. In Phnom Penh, Christmas has been commercialized. I have heard stores playing Christmas songs and saw a shop along the road selling Santa hats and outfits and Christmas decorations next to a stall selling fresh coconuts. I heard there was even a Santa at the local mall and you could go and sit on his lap (no elves though). The city is adopting western Christmas without even knowing what Christmas is about, or what it should be about.
