Perhaps it’s because I have spent the last two Christmases away from my family, that the Christmas traditions I grew up with seem all the more dear this year as I finally get to celebrate again with my family! I never realized how special the little things we did each year are.
Christmas was never just the day. It was the whole season—listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas specials, decorating the tree together, drinking eggnog with ginger ale.
Some of my earliest Christmas memories are of making Christmas ornaments and goodies that we would then give to our neighbors and friends. These little activities helped to teach us to love giving; after all, we have been given the greatest Gift which brings us the greatest Joy!
Christmas Eve is perhaps my favorite day. True it isn’t Christmas Day, but as I look back, we as family spent the most time on Christmas Eve remembering the birth of Jesus Christ. After our Candlelight Service, we came home to eat a meal of plenty. Swedish meatballs, Swedish fruit soup, and Swedish Rice dessert. Don’t worry there is more than just those three things on the menu.
Then after the food settled a bit, Grandpa would get out his Bible and read the Nativity. The grandkids would dress up in all manner of bed sheets, bathrobes, and the occasional sofa armrest cover (perfect for shepherds and Joseph), and act out the story as it was read. I always wanted to be Mary, but with an older sister, I was doomed to always be an angel. Don’t worry, I got over it rather quickly as soon as I found there were sparkly adornments involved.
Singing Christmas carols was the last thing we did before opening gifts and still to this day, I love hearing my family sing together.
Christmas truly is my favorite time of year because of my sweet family and the reminder of the unity we share in Christ as well!
Merry Christmas!
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