The celebration of Christ’s birth and humble descension to earth is accompanied every year by nostalgia and traditions that vary from family to family. As this is the time of year that I love most, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite traditions.
As Scandinavians, we’ve grown up celebrating Christmas Eve in a big way. Before the Swedish feast that we enjoy prior to opening Christmas presents late into the night, we remember the object of our celebration by attending the candlelight service—my favorite way to kick off Christmas Eve! Of course, when I was young, my main goal was to avoid spilling candle wax onto my brand new velvet and plaid Christmas dress every year (a goal rarely achieved). But as I’ve grown, and the Christmas story has increased in dearness to me, the candlelight service has become a precious time of celebrating the coming of the Messiah and the priceless treasure of salvation that He brought.
This year, I get the privilege of bringing my children along as I relive another one of my favorite traditions—making Christmas goodies with Grandma! Her Christmas goodies are both delicious and fun to make, from caramels to wreaths to crunchies. It hardly seems like Christmas without a garage filled with countless tins holding every variety of Grandma’s Christmas goodies.
When my children are a little older, I’m looking forward to carrying on a tradition that my own mother started with us when we were young—making ornaments to hand out to neighbors and friends. Mom had a way of involving us kids while maintaining a level of beauty in the ornaments that would not offend any of the recipients. The ultimate goal was to point those around us to the most supreme gift of Christmas—Christ.
I trust that this year you will be still more awestruck by God’s gift to us, and that your traditions and celebrations will be a source of worship and thanksgiving directed toward Him. Therein lay the truest joy available to us this season and all year long!
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