Christmas Memories & Traditions

This year I’m finding that Christmas celebrations and traditions have a new excitement to them. They’re different than ‘before-babies’ and a little more special to me because I want them to be special to our boys. There are certain traditions from my childhood – and hopefully some from Chris’ too – that I hope to carry over for our children, as well as some new ones I hope we make as a family.

My favorite Christmas memory / tradition was always the candle light Christmas Eve service at the church I grew up in – the church my dad still attends every Sunday! The candle light service began at 11:00 p.m. with a Christmas message, usually a sermon about the birth of Jesus. There was just something so magical and spiritual to me about the service. Following the sermon our entire congregation would make a circle around the pews of the sanctuary. We each held a small white candle in our hands and each person passed the flame to their neighbor’s candle until all were glowing and illuminating the entire room – all while we sang Silent Night! It is always my favorite memory of Christmas. I haven’t been to that service in many years but I will always remember how much I enjoyed it.

Chris’ favorite memory / tradition of Christmas from his childhood also happened on Christmas Eve – opening one gift from under the tree! He also remembers being allowed to drink eggnog during the season – a sweet treat for him that meant Christmas was coming to town!!

Those are the types of memories and traditions I hope to pass along to our children; the type of traditions that evoke heart-warming emotions and happy memories.

I’m looking forward to our family making new and special traditions together in the years to come. I don’t know what they’ll be and that is part of what makes it fun – doing it together and figuring out what is special to our family as we grow!