Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It comes every year and every year I seem to love it more and more. There are multiple reasons why I fall in love with it more and more, but there is one that stands out.

Tradition.

Does that stick with you?

It’s christmas time. Tradition is all around. It is something that has been so engrained to our culture that it doesn’t seem like you can think or even talk about Christmas time without hearing, asking or being asked the question:

Do you have any traditions?

I have a feeling that some of you have probably had that question asked to you before. I know I have. It is interesting however as I get a little older and the thought of my own family in the back of my mind, tradition takes a little more meaning.

I am not a parent and wont be in the near future ( I’ll smash that thought right now! ), but in the future I plan on being a dad and having a family of my own. So here is the question that I am wrestling with now:

What traditions do I want to enstil in my kids/family?

It is a good question to ask. There are all sorts of traditions out there and it may be hard to determine what ones you want to keep a part of your families christmas. My wife’s family starts the tradition early with the arrival of St. Nick. He comes on the night of the 6th because it 20 nights before Santa Clause comes down the chimney. It is a fun tradition, it is never anything big, usually something that can make the 20 days before hand Christmas more enjoyable. This year Amanda got a card worth 3 fresh cupcakes along with a butter cookie recipe and some christmas cookie cutters. Looks like I am going to be eating some cookies!! I got the Home Alone bundle. All 4 movies! I actually didnt know there was a fourth one, but now we own 4 more christmas movies! I also got a microphone that can change my voice to sound like an elf. Nothing incredibly expensive but fun little presents. I like this one.

Here is my list of tradition that I want to be able to accomplish with my family:

1) Read the Christmas story:

This is one that should be self explanatory, but it seems like every year it gets worse and worse that the meaning of Christmas gets lost in the hustle and bustle of buying gifts and decorating. Not that those things are bad at all, but reading the story of Jesus’ birth is something that is more important than gifts, than lights or anything else. Remembering the gift of Jesus Christ is the meaning of Christmas that I wont want to forget about.

2) St Nick night.

Like I said above, it is a fun quick and easy way to start the gift giving season.

3) To see both families.

This is essential to any family, being able to see both sides of the family is going to be a tough endeavor but one that will stay essential to the family aspect of my family.

4) Angel Tree.

Every year, we are able to bless a family that is in need or a family that wont be able to shop for christmas presents and the idea of being able to serve them in a small way seems huge in anyone’s life.

5) Food 

I am not sure what food it is going to be yet, but there will be some sort of traditional food. Growing up, it was finger food platters on Christmas eve which included: cheese and crackers, little weinies, sausage and much more. Christmas day it was yorkshire pudding, some sort of meat whether it is turkey or ham, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. Amanda has rolotten, german mashed potatoes and a lot of other German foods that I dont know the name of but are all delicious.

So, tradition…

What are your traditions?