Last Year's Christmas

Now that I'm Jewish the lens through which I view Christmas has, of course, changed. I remember my trip home last year. It was prior to my conversion, but I nonetheless already felt and acted Jewishly. Prior to the trip home, I had a conversation with a friend wherein I described the anxiety I felt when I thought about my entire family gathered in one place. I stated, "It's like traveling to a different planet. We don't speak the same language, and I'm never quite sure if there will be enough oxygen to go around."

Sure enough, the moment I walked through the door, my sister blurted out, "So Trisha, are you still converting to Islam?" I replied, "No Kristin, I'm converting to Judaism," while simultaneously shooting her a glance to convey that this wasn't the appropriate time or place - it was Christmas after all and my parents were still uncomfortable with my decision. Yet she persisted, "I really don't know much about the Jews." I told her I'd be happy to share more about it later. Still not taking the hint, she continued, "I mean, they accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior right?" I smiled and simply stated no. My response finally ended the conversation.