I was about to tell the story of Jesus’ birth for the first time to a group of newly interested Thai villagers. It was an awesome experience and an amazing opportunity. But what I thought was really cool, was before telling the story, I asked them (who have never heard this story before, and from a Buddhist background) what they though Christmas was about. Because I was honestly really curious about what they (Thai locals) thought about “foreigner” beliefs, in particularly explaining what they thought Christmas was about. “Its Jesus birth day” one said. “Yes, it is”, I replied affirming him. “Any thing else?”, I asked. “Santa Clause is Jesus dad”, another member spoke out as everyone else nodded in agreement. I paused to see if anyone would correct her, but they all just nodded, continuing their thinking about other “facts” they knew about Christmas. Christmas trees, snow, and other things they knew were shared, but out of that whole conversation, I thought the “Santa is Jesus dad fact”, was one of the most interesting conclusions they had; and apparently it is an explantation that is quite popular and accepted here in Thailand (at least thats what they told me).

It might sound funny to those who are from the west, that Santa is Jesus dad, but if we put ourselves in their shoes, Jesus, Christmas, easter, and everything about the Bible does not exist in their world. They live and breathe in a Buddhist/spirit worshiping world, and the only thing of Jesus they see is Christmas advertisments and sales at stores. Santa is everywhere, teachers growing up, said Christmas is Jesus birthday; then obviously, the elderly jolly man, in the red suit, must be Jesus dad! It was a great learning moment for me.

In the end, I shared the story of Jesus birth and corrected the little misunderstanding of the Father in heaven is not the man in the red suit but the almighty God who created the world. Nor is Joseph the man in the red suit, but a simple carpenter who loved God. I would have never known this context unless I asked them about it.

This is the state that 2 billion (out of 7 billion) people of this world are in. They are unreached. In short, Jesus just does not exist in their world. His birth, His death, His resurrection, and his love, hope, and faith for us, His plans for us, they are waiting for someone to share it with them. So what an opportunity, and what a honor it is to have this special moment of being the first to share with them the story of Jesus birth! Thanks God for this gift under the many banana trees in this nation of Thailand.