I've done a lot of thinking about the Christmas season and how I want it to be for our family. I think this time of year is so sentimental, special, and heartwarming. I always want our family to create memories and moments together. I LOVE reading other posts from different people about how the holidays are celebrated in their homes, so I thought I would share how our little family "does Christmas."
-This year, we had a cookie making/decorating night. I made cookies from scratch and Evy helped decorate (pictures to come at some point!). From now on, I'll be using pre-made dough. It just wasn't my thing to make the dough from scratch. I think you still get the same effect using pre-made dough! :)
-We have a drive-through display of lights in our town at one of our parks. City businesses, churches, and groups put out little displays. It's simple, but very cute. We took Evy and she kept saying "Lights! Pitty! (Pretty!)" We also drive downtown to see the quaint little shops. One of the old furniture stores (the storefront looks straight out of the 50s) has a cute window display each year. Evy really loved seeing it!
-We participate in Operation Christmas Child, which is a WONDERFUL program. You fill a shoebox with goodies for a little boy or girl, and Samaritan's Purse Ministries delivers the boxes to children in other countries that would NEVER have the experience of Christmas otherwise. The gospel is shared and these children feel loved and special. It's an incredible ministry!
-This was our first year to provide Christmas for a child in need, and it was such a great experience. Our church has partnered with the Christian Activities Center in East St. Louis to provide Christmas for these children. We went in with my parents and sponsored a little girl. We LOVED picking things out for her! This is a definite tradition that will continue for our family.
-We contributed to the food basket ministry at our church this year. Our church puts together a basket of food so that families can make a holiday meal. We didn't deliver this year, but will begin doing that next year--I want our children (and US!) to have that experience!
-Kurt and I are in worship ministry at our church, and we sang in our Christmas program last Sunday night. We both had solos and the Lord really calmed my nerves. The program focused on the different perspectives of those involved in the birth of Christ. I sang the song from the perspective of Mary, and Kurt sang about what the wise men must have felt. We look forward to participating every year in this beautiful experience.
-For the years that we're in town for Christmas, we LOVE the Christmas Eve service. It's absolutely beautiful with candlelight, singing, and a simple message.
-We celebrate Advent in our family. This year we just had a simple calendar for Evy, but as her age allows, we will expand the emphasis of Advent. I mentioned that our student pastor's wife, Wini, spoke at church about Christmas traditions. One thing I love is adding elements to a nativity scene over the course of Advent. Baby Jesus arrives on Christmas morning! I love the discussion that allows and how you can really talk about how each person must have felt.
-We want to minimize gifts and make them purposeful. I've heard of some people only giving three gifts. We might make that our practice at some point. We don't just give excess junk to each other or our families, which I think is important. Wini also shared in her talk how you can give a "Gold" gift, "Frankincense" gift, and a "Myrrh" gift. Gold is the gift that person has really been wanting and hoping for. The Frankincense gift is for your spiritual growth, like a new Bible, Christian CD or book. The Myrrh gift is something for your body, like clothes, lotion, etc. It's just a good way to keep gifts purposeful and centered. We might use this idea in the future too!
-We watch the classic Christmas movies and specials at our house. We only watch the old classics, with a few new ones like "The Holiday" and the new "A Christmas Carol" thrown in. I don't allow "A Christmas Story" or "Christmas Vacation" or things like that. I just don't like them at all. I'm just a classics person! :)
-I send out a Christmas card and letter each year. I've said this a million times, but this is one tradition that I will ALWAYS do! I got that from my mom, and I love sending them out.
-We do incorporate a little bit of Santa at our house. I've written about the debate before, and I still stand by our choice. Growing up, I never questioned that Jesus was the entire purpose of Christmas, and Kurt was raised the same way. My parents did such a good job of allowing the pretend magic, but never losing sight of our Savior's birth. I really do believe it can be done! We have decided that Santa will only leave little happies in our stockings. Any other gifts are from Mommy and Daddy. I think it's a great compromise, because the childhood magic is there, but Santa's role is minimal. I'm really pleased with the decision we've made, and I don't think we're less spiritual because of it. JUST MY OPINION!! :)
-The biggest thing in our family is that we honor the established traditions of our extended families, while creating our own. We do all of these little traditions on nights throughout December, so that we can spend the actual holidays with our family. That's what makes the holidays so special---celebrating the Lord while surrounded by precious family members. Those are memories and moments we cherish!
-I do want to start some new traditions next year. We want to attend "Road to Bethlehem," a live nativity experience in another town near ours.We've heard it's great! I'd also like to host something in our home. I did the home tour for our Women's Ministry this year, and next year I'd like to at least have one thing in my house, even if it's just a small dinner party. As Evy gets older and we add more children, I want to do more Christmas crafts. And finally, I'd like to do more service-oriented projects at Christmas. Sarah is so inspiring in how she gives to others at Christmas, and I'd love to do more in the following years. We really want to make this a BIG priority, and I'm looking forward to blessing others around us in even bigger ways.
Christmas is such a wonderful time for creating memories, serving others, and spending time with family. How do YOU celebrate Christmas? What are your traditions? I'm going to add a link-up so if you've written a similar post, please share!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
