Thursday, December 15, 2011
Christmas Traditions {by Melissa H.}
Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. It is always busy with so many things to do, people to see, presents to wrap, cookies to bake and the list goes on and on. That is what makes this month so special to me.
I have such fond memories of my family’s Christmas traditions growing up that I really want to give my children the same gift. Of course we do all the typical things like decorate the tree, hang Christmas lights, bake cookies, but I really wanted to do something every year to help us remember why we really celebrate Christmas. I have done Advent calendars in previous years but have never really made it as special as I did this year.
With the suggestion of a MOPS speaker a couple years ago, I bought the magnetic nativity advent calendar and Advent Book. Every night the girls and I open a door on our book and read a verse or two from the Christmas story. The girls also find another piece of the nativity scene in each door on the calendar. This year I also added an activity, treat, dessert, or service project to each day. It requires a lot of organization but my girls can’t wait to open the next little door to see what’s inside.
Granted they have not liked all of the activities such as choosing 3 toys to donate. Other days include watching “The Polar Express”, decorating a gingerbread house, buying toys for the toy drives at school, visiting Santa, painting Christmas ornaments, baking cookies and making cards to deliver to our elderly neighbors, driving around to see Christmas lights, eating a Christmas dessert or treat, and attending the Christmas Eve service.
My hope is that they will understand that Christmas is so much more than how many presents Santa brings them, but rather, how much joy they can bring to others at this time of year.
Finally, I want them to understand just how blessed they are to be able to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I plan to continue these traditions every year and maybe they will have fond memories of Christmas as I do.
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