Traditions

The official Christmas season began when my alarm rang at 4:25 Friday morning, alerting me that it was time to join the mobs at the mall. Yes, I'm one of the crazies who rises to get in on the early bird specials on the day after Thanksgiving. The crowds were insane, but I was glad I went. I had a blast and found lots of great deals!

True to family tradition, the guys assembled our tree and dressed it in lights on Friday evening. This is the tree that my husband and I bought after Christmas 13 years ago. I have to say, it still looks pretty good after all these years! Then we gathered to watch one of our family favorite Christmas movies, "Elf." This happens to be one of the most frequently quoted movies in our family, and we laughed as though we'd never seen it before!

On Saturday evening we cranked up the Christmas music (including Rockin' Around the Christmas tree) and decorated our tree. When we were satisfied with the end result, we turned off all the lights in the room, including the tree lights. We then assembled on the floor in front of the tree for the big reveal! In dramatic style, our son plugged in the lights for the eager crowd, and of course, we all ooh-ed and aah-ed as we took in this most beautiful site.

As we sat together before our lovely tree, the boys began asking questions about the ornaments.

Where did this one come from?
What's the story behind this one?
Who gave this one to you?

My heart welled with thankfulness as I answered each and every question.

There was that ornament that I bought 16 years ago right after their daddy and I got engaged. I bought it for the tree that would grace our first home in our new life together.

There were the ornaments that were given to me as shower gifts. My husband and I were married right before Christmas, so I received many ornaments for my showers.

There was the old-fashioned looking ornament that was given me by one of my favorite customers at the restaurant where I worked at the time. She and her husband were a dear elderly couple...much like grandparents to me. The ornament that hangs on our tree each year is a sweet reminder of this dear couple who have since passed away.

There's those "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornaments and picture ornaments that feature the adorable faces of our family.

There's the simple handmade ornaments made by the hands of our little guys so long ago. Their names and the years are written on the backs, reminders of how quickly time is passing.

There's the ornaments given to me by my dearest friends. My mind instantly goes back to our Christmas parties at which these precious ornaments were given to me. I smile as I reminisce about these happy times and their faithful love.

There's all those teacup and teapot ornaments that were lovingly given me because of my delight in tea parties. There's the mother-daughter ornament featuring a couple of mice in a teapot...given to me by my loving mom. There's even a teapot ornament that arrived unexpectedly on my doorstep a few years ago. It was from a long-distance friend I've met only once in real life, but a friend I've come to deeply cherish.

There's the ornaments that my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and I have made together on our craft days. One of the angel ornaments is actually made with leftover lace from my wedding dress.

There's the priceless ornaments made by my husband's sweet grandma...tender reminders of her love for her family. She celebrates Christmas in heaven with Jesus now, but her handiwork on our tree keeps her in our thoughts this Christmas.

And near the top of the tree, there's the cross ornament, fashioned by some rough nails. It's a reminder of the reason we celebrate...the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

I discovered something important this year. It's not just the act of decorating our tree that is steeped in tradition. Each and every ornament on our tree tells a story, too. And as I recounted the stories to our boys, I realized how richly these ornaments help to tell the story of God's grace and faithfulness in our lives. We look back, we remember, we rejoice.