Our lives are fraught with tradition…. certain customs handed down through the ages from one generation to the next. Some traditions are good and others not so much. Most families and individuals decide for themselves which traditions to follow and which to ignore. I’m a big fan of tradition and especially the ones we observe at Christmas time.
The best part about traditions within a family is that they can be changed when necessary. I learned growing up that Parents and Grandparents who are not willing to stray from tradition often find themselves without a family to celebrate with. I’m from a big family and we always got together on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts and share a meal. That way the older married siblings could spend Christmas Day with their spouse’s family. The ones who didn’t have in-laws close by always came again on Christmas Day.
One year, for whatever reason, my mom mentioned that she would like to have all her kids at home for Christmas Day. Well, this set off a firestorm among a couple of the daughters-in-law that ruined Christmas for the whole family for the next few years. Finally, the issue was resolved and we went back to the way we always had done things and it continued till Mama and Daddy had both passed away. In the wake of all this, I decided that if and when I had kids I would always be flexible about the holiday celebrations. Keeping peace is always more important than some traditions. Jesus’ birthday is no time for disagreements and hard feelings.
When I married Jim, who is from Indiana and I’m from Texas, we gradually started our own traditions. His family had always waited till Christmas morning to open presents so we did it that way as well…. which worked out great when we lived in Texas with my family getting together on Christmas eve.
Since my son, the youngest of my three children, was born on December 3rd, I decided never to put up our Christmas tree until the weekend following his birthday….that way he has his special day before the holiday excitement starts and Jesus has His on December 25th. I still follow this tradition as putting up the tree is always left up to me. The kids helped some at first but as they got older…. and decided I was too picky, they stopped helping. The grand kids are the same way. I work hard to make the tree look nice and try to add something new to its branches each year.
A few years ago, a new tradition was started in our family….one I hope continues. It had been a stressful time with so much to do at the last minute. I was still feeling stressed on Christmas morning when all the family arrived to open gifts and eat. I was peeling potatoes and thinking about everything still to be done when Jersey, my then 7-year-old grand daughter, came to me and asked, “Grandma, before we open the presents, can we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus? After all,” she said, “that’s what Christmas really is.”
I stopped what I was doing, struck by the innocent truthfulness of her words. I suddenly felt the stress leave me and it was replaced by the joy of her reminder. I gave her a hug. “I’m sure we can do that,” I told her. “And thank you for thinking of it. I’m sure Jesus will be very happy if we do that.” Every year now my daughter bakes a cake and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before we open presents.
2 Thessalonians 2: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
While we are busy following our traditions this Christmas….and starting new ones, let us not get too busy to remember the reason for the season and truly enjoy celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!
