Today 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.