Passing Down Traditions

How important are traditions?  My family has several traditions around Christmas time.  Over the years of our marriage, some of the traditions have changed somewhat.  We have a Nativity scene that takes a prominent place in our Christmas decorations.  For years, I would refuse to place the Wise Men in the Nativity scene.  Instead, I would find a shelf, bookcase, or table somewhere to the east of the Nativity scene and place the three Wise Men there.  Laura would beg me to put the Wise Men in the Nativity scene.  After about 7 or 8 years, I finally gave in and allowed the tradition to change. 

There are some traditions that will never change.  I can almost envision my grandchildren gathering around Laura, just as our boys have done on Christmas Eve since Ethan was a baby, to hear her read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  The way that my dear wife reads that story every year is spell binding.  She may enjoy it more than the boys do.  After that story, I read the Christmas Story from Luke 2.  After we finish reading about the birth of Christ, we have family prayer.  

Christmas day will start another round of traditions.  We'll get up early (though not as early as we used to, at some point, the boys started sleeping later), and open presents.  I'll sip on a cup of coffee, and watch my family open their presents.  Laura will finally insist that it's "Daddy's turn to open one," even though, I'd just as soon sit and watch all of them open their presents first.  We'll finish opening presents and then my OCD will kick in and I'll clean up all the paper, ribbons, boxes, and bows.  

At some point, before we go to have Christmas dinner with the rest of the family, I'll find myself sitting alone thinking about my mother and how she loved Christmas.  I've got the glass figurine that my sisters and I affectionately call "Mama's Christmas Lady" sitting on my shelf.  I'll find myself staring at, wishing I could tell my Mom "Merry Christmas" one more time.  

Traditions are important because they are what make us families.  These rituals are the ties that bind us together.  Whether your tradition involves singing Christmas carols, watching those classic movies, or just spending time quietly together, don't take them for granted.  One day, those traditions will mean the world to you.  

I can still remember opening presents on Christmas morning, and seeing my Mom sitting in the corner just watching her children.  Traditions are handed down generation after generation.  What are you handing down to your children?  Will my boys grow into men that will be sitting in the corner watching their families open presents?  I can only hope so.  Thanks Mom, for passing that tradition down to me, I have been blessed beyond measure.  

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!  May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and traditions.