Christmas Traditions

I have always loved Christmas and all the traditions surrounding the holiday. Even the year that my dad had open heart surgery a few days before Christmas was a meaningful one in that it was my first white Christmas. It was also spent with my mom's family, some of the most generous and loving people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

Once I had kids, Christmas took on more meaning. I remember Hardy's first Christmas I would get teary-eyed at Christmas songs that mention the baby Jesus. Having a baby, I could more clearly visualize the sweet bundle of wonder and joy the baby Jesus was. As Hardy has gotten older and has been joined by a sister, I find myself creating traditions for our family that I hope will endure.

One tradition we have is the daily lighting of the advent candles and reading advent-related scriptures together as a family. I am not sure how much of the verses the kids are taking in, but there is a sweetness in those few minutes we spend in this activity. This year we have added to it by making an advent chain. Each link has one of the scriptures we read that day, and we add to the paper chain daily.

One tradition I am scaling back this year is Christmas baking. I love to bake cookies for Christmas - it is hard to explain the primal feeling of rightness I get standing over a hot oven. Nothing says God's love for us like a bundle of homemade cookies. I have been known to make eight kinds of cookies and two or three kinds of candies for Christmas. Most of this I box up and give away - to our neighbors, to teachers, Justin's co-workers. I used to start weeks before Christmas, baking and freezing right up to the big day. This year I decided to scale back massively. I would rather spend the time with my kids and husband, making new memories. Also, we do not need all the sugar in the house. We have decided to massively cut down (if not downright eliminate) most sugar in the house, as the kids nor us need it.

Another tradition I have started with Hardy is making presents. I've been working with him since he was two, trying to teach him that it is thoughtful to think of others. He also loves to make things, so every year we make some kind of ornaments for him to give to his family. The ornaments are decidedly homemade looking, but I also believe in letting him do the work himself. I enjoy the quiet time with my son and the conversations we have during our creative endeavors.

One final tradition has to do with my sweet husband. Every year I try to make something sweet to slip into his stocking. Something that costs no money but lets him know how I appreciate him. Last year I made a random list of things I loved about him. I noticed he has not thrown that list away. I can't say what I plan for him this year, in case he reads this, but I hope he knows that he is loved and special when he sees it.

For me, Christmas is the time of year when I try to be more conscious of letting my loved ones know that they are loved and special. It is the time to show the love of Christ to others. A time of great expectation, when things seem possible. The tradition I hope that my family takes part is loving others.