Expecting the Unexpected (Or A Silent Night at the Dancing Nativity)
Bernie AndersonToday we attended our school’s Christmas/New Year’s party. After last year, I knew a bit more what to expect. There would be lots of food from every nation. The Mongolian teachers would put a huge bowl of potato salad in the middle of the American student’s table. That is an important part of their celebrations, so it goes on every table, regardless. Each nationality/group is expected to participate with some song, dance or reading.
Then while we eat, they will play the Abba song “Happy New Year� over and over and over again until we are finished. The Koreans will only eat Korean food and the Mongolians will only eat Mongolian food and the Americans and Europeans will share their food. The start time is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. which means that is when everyone will arrive. Then it will take about an hour to set up, so we will actually start at 12. At three o’clock, when we can’t listen to that song one more time, we’ll find a way to slip out while everything is still going strong.
At 11, everyone began arriving, so things were starting as expected. Surprisingly there was no potato salad – on any table. Perhaps after they had 7 huge bowls left over last year, they realized not everyone shares their affinity for it. Again, surprisingly everyone was set up and ready to roll by about 11:30.
After last year, we didn’t really think anything could surpass the African priest and the Columbian nun doing the bump and grind, but we underestimated the Mongolian student’s creativity in pulling off a nativity scene. To the left of the stage was Mary, stunning in hot pink, holding baby Jesus with no Joseph in sight. In center stage was a man and woman. He was wearing a crown, so we assumed he was Herod.
Three very attractive Mongolian students entered, carrying staffs (I think) and gifts. Another Mongolian girl holding a large silver star went and stood behind Herod. The three wise girls, in their 7 inch high stiletto boots followed the star and stood before Herod. Then after a brief two-step to the tune of “Jingle Bells� they again followed the star that had by that time moved behind Mary and the baby. With much difficulty, they knelt in front of the baby (stilettos aren’t conducive for kneeling).
At this point, Mary arose with the baby Jesus and proceeded to dance, lifting the bundle up to the sky. So far, still not too far off base. It was hard not to chuckle, when she put the baby Jesus down and began to dance, in turn with each of the wise girls. Okay, maybe that could have happened, right? Where it went beyond any feasibility was when Mary went to Herod’s throne and convinced him to dance with her also. So, you have Mary and Herod dancing while his wife, the star and the three wise girls watched.
Unfortunately, as is too often the case, the baby Jesus was totally forgotten, alone in His manger, while all around him were lost in their festivities. It was one of those situations that was at the same time funny, but heart-tugging.
After that, most of the talent offerings didn’t venture far from the unexpected. We heard Silent Night and Joy to the World in English, Mongolian, Korean, Thai, Finnish, Chinese and an unidentified African language. While not unexpected, it still thrills, to hear a small taste of what we will experience some day for eternity.
To our pleasant surprise, someone must have forgotten that Abba CD. And everyone flocked to our table and ate all our food. Everything was winding down and we checked our watches and it was only 1:30. So, once again we remind ourselves, that we should always expect the unexpected.
Reader Comments (6)
You know that 99% of wild dirty dancing in MGL culture was learned from American pop culture on TV and movies. Most drinking in MGL culture was learned from the Russians. Buddhism was learned from Tibetans and Indians. Did you ever see Norovbanzad doing hot dancing in a pink deel? No. MGL traditional culture is mostly reserved and contemplating nature. Without Jesus there is no guard against temptation or bad external influence. When I was in MGL, all the sleazy shirts had English on them. The conservative dress is MGL.
Cool. Renee', if you did any of the cooking for your table, I'm not surprised they all flocked to your table.
We miss you guys! Have a blessed Christmas.
Kelli and Brian and Cianan
@ Bob - Just for the record ... the dance shone above was tastefully done (at least as far as a dancing nativity scene can be tasteful). It was closer to a traditional Mongolian dance than anything contemporary. You are correct in that most Mongolian vices are imported. There are no real cuss words in native Mongolian. The worst native Mongolian vulgarity that I can come up with is "Stupid Trash" (woooooo). On the other hand, the Russian words they know are pretty rough.
@ Kelli - we really miss you guys too! Wish you could have joined us for the open house! I miss Cianan eating all the cookies.. :-)
I enjoy all the commentary and love MGL. I still admire that people can live their at that temperature. "There it is -15F again. Woo!" I guess people just get used to it. Don't personally know anybody here. God be with you. Jesus = Immanuel. Love MGL. My fellowship is Lincoln Park UBF in Chicago. In UB the web site for the first chapter is http://www.ubf.mn The other chapter doesn't have a web site as far as I know, but almost as big. I'm a big fan of most MGL music, and like most of it with the exception of MGL hip hop. (Too much to stomach for me-- Ha Ha--and prefer to listen to much MGL music. I said I would play bass for Otgoo, but she already got a white guy to play bass. I have a weakness for all the MGL all-girl bands.) I'm working on moving there and might try it in April going back again, but have lots of issues to work out. Anyway, I just stumbled upon the web site and am a regular reader. Loved being in UB. I just wonder what would happen after the initial glow wears off.
@ Bob - Ha! "The Glow" comes and goes - depending on the time of year and my personal state of mind when driving in UB! All and all not so bad, though. We're glad that you found our site and are able to stay connected with Mongolia through us.
The attitudes in driving were quite funny/shocking. I was being driven around by a guy in Mongolia 2 UBF (fellowship there), and he was honking hard and I was rebuking (with love of course) him to be patient, that everybody wants to get somewhere and they're not asleep. I am a cyclist and bike everywhere all year, and even brought a bike to MGL, and am an icebiker by nature http://www.icebike.org so UB is a natural for me. The mountain biking their is just nice, even though I'm a roadie. I just got plane tickets for April, so if anybody needs an English speaker, here I am.