Christmas Traditions

Dear Moms,
We will spend a portion of this Christmas Season talking about Traditions to help make Christmas come alive in the hearts of all who reside in your home. First of all , I’m going to tell you the secret to guarantee you will have the “BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.” Not only the best Christmas, but also, the “BEST YEAR EVER.” All you need to do is, learn to, “GIVE TO BLESS AND, NOT GIVE TO GET.” Then teach your family to do the same. Yes, Give and Don’t Count the Cost!! Give of your Time, and Don’t Count The Cost. Give of your Talent, and Don’t Count The Cost. Give of your Treasure and, Don’t Count the Cost. Give freely, and Do it for Jesus. So mom, as you address those Christmas Cards, Give to Bless!! As you bake those Cookies and share them, mom, Give To Bless. As you shop for all those Presents mom, Give to Bless. As you Wrap without any one volunteering to help you, mom, Give to Bless!! Christmas is a lot of work, especially for us moms, but make it a “LABOR OF LOVE.” Think of ways, like I do, to Bless random people, who least expect to hear from you, or receive from you. Be the “FRIEND THAT SAVED CHRISTMAS , to them.. I challenge you!!! Then I promise you it will be, “THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.” For as St. Francis says, “IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE AND IN DYING THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE.”

FAMILY TRADITIONS

Life is full of Memories!! I try very hard to make positive memories , and because of this, we are fond of traditions in our home. We actually seize every opportunity to make a memory. We want our children to enjoy our home more than any other place. As Dorothy said in the “WIZARD OF OZ,” “THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!” We desire that even our adult children, will have good memories of being in our home. I have read a lot of books on making memories and, I try to implement those traditions that I can do PEACEFULLY!! Everyone that knows me knows that I do not do winters, yet God in His goodness has placed my favorite holiday right in the dead of winter. Yes, , right when I need to have Jesus come alive in my heart and life more than ever before, we celebrate Christmas, the day Christ Jesus Our Lord was born. Now on Christmas, not only does Christ come alive in my heart and life, but also in the heart and life of the whole world. Young and old, black and white, believer and pagan alike, all join in Christmas Traditions. Yes, Christmas Time is full of Traditions. I will now list some of our favorite family traditions and explain briefly. I have put a scripture with each tradition. Here Goes:


St. Nicholas Day
This tradition is celebrated on December 6, each year, which is St. Nicholas’ Feast Day. Before going to bed on December 5, the children are asked to place their shoes outside the door of their bedroom. The next morning, to their delight, candy is found in their shoes, wrapped of course. This is by the wonder of Christmas the work of St. Nicholas, better known as SANTA CLAUS. Take the time on December 6th each year to read the story of St. Nicholas or better yet, invest in the movie. Make this a yearly read and a yearly movie, and , don’t forget the popcorn.
“BLESSED ARE THEY WHO WASH THEIR ROBES TO EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE.”

Secret Santa
When Advent starts, put each member of the families name in a hat, and mix it around. Then chose a name each, but not your own, and don’t tell a soul who you chose. Now spend the Advent Season doing , ACTS OF KINDNESS,” for the person whose name you picked. Do the Acts Of Kindness in SECRET, because, that’s half the fun. The other half of the fun is trying to guess who has who? For example, one family member leave the room to use the bathroom, they return to find their bed miraculously made. WHO DID IT? It could only the work of the SECRET SANTA! This tradition, builds family, and grows every one in the fruit of KINDNESS. Even a two year old, can join in the Fun, if you explain Secret Santa in toddler Vocabulary. Try this one, you will like it.
“GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU, PRESSED DOWN SHAKEN TOGETHER AND OVERFLOWING.”

The Advent Wreath
We do the traditional Advent Wreath, with the three purple candles, along with one pink one. We use an old Advent Book that is KID FRIENDLY, because it is Short and Simple. After diner we gather around the table together. My older children would take turns lighting the approite candle or candles. My husband would read the page for the day. Once we have prayed together as a family, the younger children would take turns blowing out the candles. This was a time to honor the Lord as a family, and all were expected to participate. My younger children loved this practice so much , that we made lighting a candle a daily practice., all year long. We began each day of my pre-schooler life lighting a candle and singing the song, “THIS IS THE DAY.” then of course, I would let them blow out the candle, over and over again if necessary.
“JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”
Ellen
www.momsbestwisdom.com