As I think about the Christmas traditions I have from my family and the joy they all bring me, I also think about the new traditions I hope to start with my own little family. I have heard some cute and meaningful family traditions over the years and a few have stuck out that I really want to incorporate into my personal traditions, so we will see how it goes. Including:
ADVENT CALENDARS – Well, I do remember at times having the chocolate advent calendars at our house and the joy of opening each pocket to get a candy. But I really like the idea of the advent calendars that have more meaning such as each day has a slip of paper that has a good deed idea to do for someone or a family activity to do that day. Next year as Shayla is older and if I remember to plan ahead and start to make one early in November, I hope to make this a yearly tradition in the Nelson house.
PRESENTS – I, as I am sure most of you are at times, have always been kind of annoyed at the focus on presents and the I WANT mentality of Christmas. I love giving presents and love the idea behind them in that they started with following the tradition of the gifts the 3 wise men brought to Jesus, so I hope to incorporate a new gift giving tradition in my household for our family. Each year, every person will only get 3 gifts from mom and dad representing the 3 gifts of the wise men:
1-Gold – Garment – clothes, pajamas, robe, etc
2-Frankenscense – something Fun – game, electronics, etc.
3-Myrrh-something for the Mind - books, puzzles, etc.
SERVICE – There are so many needs in this world and to help remember what the true meaning of Christmas is I think it is so important to be sure to serve others always, but I would like to find one program/idea that we do every year. I always try to do something but it changes every year which is fine, but I also like the idea of having specific service activities that can be done every year as a tradition as well. Any thoughts?
Anyway, my goal in these traditions is to really help keep the meaning of Christmas alive. Christmas is not about buying everything for everybody. It is about family, Christ, and giving to others. I would love to hear what some of your holiday traditions are too!
1 comment:
I think you know what our holiday traditions are, since we've spent them all together for over twenty years now!! We can't wait for Thursday. ♥♥♥
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