Episode 45: Joyeux Noël

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! Join host Chandra Alley in this short and sweet episode, as she shares the Christmas story in the most "un-Charlie Browniest" of ways.

Plus, prepare yourself for a delicious and completely kosher "Chan Select" that is perfect for Hannukah and everyday!

• This episode's "Chan Select": Chlew! Check them out on Instagram here.
• Follow us on Instagram: @Expatriotical
• Other References: A Charlie Brown Christmas book
• The Christmas Story

"Live and Travel in the Know" with Expatriotical!

Transcript

Bienvenue, Benvenuti, and Welcome to Expatriotical, the podcast for expats, travelers, and other adventurous souls. I’m Chandra Alley and after living as an expat with my husband and 4 children in two different countries for 6 years, I’ve learned the arts of pivoting during pitfalls, traveling tastefully for less, and soaking in amazing new cultures without losing your own.

Join me, as we dive into the joys and challenges of travel and the expat life in every episode!

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, and Happy Holidays everybody! As this episode is airing on the actual day of Christmas, I'm going to keep it pretty short because you probably aren't even listening to it on the day and if you are, maybe it's simply helping you get through a cooking or baking frenzy or keeping you company as you install batteries in new toys or pick up tiny pieces of wrapping paper from your floor because it gets everywhere.

Today also happens to be the first day of Hanukkah. So Happy Hanukkah to everyone listening who celebrates!

So my original idea to try to keep this episode short but also stay within the theme of Christmas and the holidays was to read a Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz. But unfortunately, after inquiring with peanuts.com as to if I could get permission to read it, and waiting for over three weeks, I still haven't heard back so that is a no go.

But if I'm honest one of my favorite moments in the story, other than that little pitiful tree that Charlie Brown finds becoming dazzlingly beautiful after all of his friends, pitch in with ornaments and tinsel and they sing around the tree.

My other favorite, if not my most favorite moment is when all of the characters are practicing for the Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown, who is the director, is trying to get everyone together and also to get everything sorted with the tree. And in exasperation, he exclaims, “isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

And Linus, holding his blanket, says, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” And he recites a mix of verses from the second chapter of the gospel of Luke.

So, since there's no copyright on the Bible, I'm going to go ahead and read that for you. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas for the same reason, as I do, or if you don’t celebrate at all, I hope you can hear this story and take joy in the fact that the most precious gifts are not purchased in a store.

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,
 And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:1-20 New King James Version

So it’s really hard to transition after reading like that, but before I sign off for today, I wanted to mention a “Chan Select”, but it was really hard finding one that was Christmas based. So because today is also the first day of Hanukkah, I want to mention one of my favorite places to get delivery from here in Paris and it is totally kosher!

It's called Chlew! Or at least that's how I pronounce it. It's spelled C-H-L-E-W and it is an incredible deli shop. From paninis to traditional baguette sandwiches, Chlew has a very wide variety. But my favorite are their sandwiches that they serve on bretzel bread or they like to call it bagel bread.

My favorite sandwich from there is called Le Full Pastami and it is literally that delicious bretzel bread loaded with a ton of pastrami, cheddar cheese, French fries onions, red cabbage, pickles, honey mustard, and regular mustard. This sandwich is absolutely loaded! And it's ginormous.

And another thing I love is that a lot of times they have a buy one get one free special on the Deliveroo app. So I can feed my whole family dinner and give the kids lunch the next day by buying six sandwiches, three of which I pay for. It's incredible!

I will be sure to include their website and Instagram handle in the show notes. If you live in Paris or you’re visiting, they are sprinkled all over the city, so definitely check them out! Just remember, that they are closed on Saturday because it's Shabbat.

And as always, I have to mention, I am not an affiliate, just a very hungry, at this moment, fan!

That’s it for today everybody! Please make sure that as you exit your podcast app today that maybe you take just a second to share this episode or another favorite episode with a friend or family member or even an acquaintance that you think would benefit from hearing it.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas today, an extremely Happy Hanukkah, and a most joyous holiday season! I'll meet you back here again in the New Year and until then this is Chandra Alley reminding you to “Live and Travel in the Know” with Expatriotical!