12 Days of Traditions...Day 1

We all have those traditions that we return to year after year. Some are unique, over-the-top, and steeped in meaning. Others are seemingly ordinary habits that we repeat each year. But whether we classify them as ordinary or extraordinary, traditions give our children a sense of history, security, and belonging. Furthermore, they're our opportunity to show our kids what (and who) we value; to share with them how God has graciously worked and shown Himself faithful in our lives. Here are a few of the traditions we've enjoyed over the past days...

On Wednesday evening, we gathered with our church family at what I've often said is my favorite service of the year. With microphones lining the aisles, we're all invited to get up and share how God has worked in our lives over the past year. Through the hardships and trials, the illnesses and unemployment, we hear how God has abundantly met all the varied heart needs with Himself.

In addition to Thanksgiving with my family on Thursday, we enjoyed a post-Thanksgiving brunch with my husband's family on Friday morning. But prior to that, as is my tradition, I awoke at 3:30am so that I could arrive at Kohl's shortly after its opening at 4am. Yes, I'm one of THOSE people.

We always...and I mean always...put up our tree on Thanksgiving weekend. As soon as we returned home late Friday afternoon, I started packing away all our fall decorations in exchange for our Christmas decor. The tree was assembled (while sipping on eggnog) and the lights painstakingly strung (thanks to my husband). That was stage 1.

Stage 2 came on Saturday morning as we decorated our tree. Our boys know that it's much more than simply decorating a tree. It's a walk down memory lane...a discovery of treasure...a re-telling of our story. So with Amy Grant's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" filling the house, we set about decorating our tree. The boys like to hang each of "their" ornaments...ornaments they've made, ornaments featuring their picture, their name, etc. With each ornament I unwrapped from the box, a flood of memories came rushing back. I occasionally sensed the eyes of my guys on me, probably wondering why on earth their mom was all teary again. But these ornaments illustrate our story...the story of God's love and grace.

I emptied out our china cabinet to make room for my Christmas village which resides there each winter. While I love the end result, it's a whole lotta work! But plugging the village in for the first time is always somewhat dream-like for me. I love the way it comes to life! In fact, last night my husband surprised me by driving through the downtown of our small city. He generally likes to take the fastest route through town, avoiding the downtown with its frequent four-way stops. But I love our quaint downtown streets, especially at night. I commented to him that it reminds me of driving through my Christmas village!

Once again, my village is compiled of so many memories! Our boys like to add on to it each Christmas, so each year I look forward to seeing what building they've chosen and why. There was the year they bought me the country schoolhouse...because I'm their teacher. And then there's the tearoom and the coffee house...simply because they know their mom sooo well. ;)

While I'm a traditionalist at heart...while traditions have always been important to me...I'm seeing that the traditions we've worked hard to establish are becoming important to our boys, too. They're asking about them...waiting for them...anticipating them. And that's what traditions are all about. It's seizing each opportunity to point back to Christ so that our children, too, will be able to testify of His faithfulness to their children.