Christmas traditions are an important part of our life. There are three values our traditions attempt to uphold as we celebrate the holiday: Jesus at the center, generosity and family.
To keep Jesus at the center, we always attend a Christmas Eve service at RiverTree (for me it’s actually 7 of them). On Christmas Eve we sit in front of our fireplace and read the Christmas story together before putting the kids to bed. Prior to eating brunch with my parents we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
To lift up the value of generosity we do our best to create financial margin in our lives so that we can bless others. This manifests itself in special monetary gifts to the children we sponsor through Compassion International, responding to spur of the moment needs we become aware of, giving gifts to ministry partners in exchanges rather than gifts to one another (ie. we gave twin sheet sets to the Christian Children’s Home of Ohio this year as gifts to our Elders), and, in general, doing our best to remain open-handed with God’s blessings.
As far as family goes, we begin Christmas day with just our immediate family (usually from 7-10). My parents then come to our house for brunch from 10-1. At 3 we’ll spend the rest of the day with Julie’s family at their house.
A couple of other traditions . . . Because Julie and I were engaged to be married on Christmas Eve, after the children are in bed for the night, we eat chocolate covered strawberries, drink non-alcoholic champagne and dance to our song–“True Companions.”
What are your traditions?
Hey Greg,
Totally unrelated to this post of yours – I was in the service yesterday and I just wanted to respond to what you said about the nine songs at the concert you attended and how none mentioned Jesus. I agree that it is intentional. What I wanted to say is that I’m from Massillon and have always been proud to notice, year after year, that all of Washington High School’s choirs fill their Christmas concerts with religious songs. Also, a performance of “Messiah” is done each year with the 10, 11, and 12th grade choir members and many alums. I think this year was the 67th performance (or a number close to that). I’ve often wondered if a parent has ever complained about song choice, and I hope that if one ever does, he/she will politely be told that the student is voluntarily in choir and can choose not to participate. I hope they never stop singing the religious songs they now sing.
Just wanted to share! Merry Christmas!
I love your engagement anniversary tradition. That’s so sweet….perhaps my husband and I need to celebrate our engagement as well. (Although I have to admit….I don’t know the exact date that it happened, but I do remember that it was in April.)
After yesterday’s message I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that our family’s favorite tradition has nothing to do with Jesus. A few days before Christmas, my husband, three kids and I always get out a lot of blankets and pillows and make hot cocoa…with extra marshmallows…and watch The Polar Express together late at night and then we let the kids sleep in the family room that night. Of course Christmas service at RiverTree is part of our holiday celebrating, as well. That also is just our family of five, because we are the only “non-Catholics” in my family. I am not persecuted by my extended family for leaving the Catholic Church, as you mentioned this past weekend, but it is awkward when we say grace and we are the only ones not making the sign of the cross.
In regard to Lindsay’s post, I am proud to say that when I was in high-school our choir sang “Do You See What I See?” annually for our Christmas concert, and invited alumni to join us. My son’s school, on the other hand, didn’t even call his concert a “Christmas” concert. It was a “holiday” concert. The only Christian song his orchestra played was “Ode to Joy.”
I don’t think you need to be embarrassed about how you spend your time with your family during the Christmas…holiday season…what does your heart tell you…love your family…embrace them…spend time with them…praise God…love other people… don’t compare yourself to others… and how they celebrate Christmas…Xmas…Merry Christmas…Happy Holidays…God is in control…enjoy what he has given you.