One of our granddaughters was over last Sunday and noticed only two of the five candles burning on our centerpiece. She thought we needed to light the rest. That gave me a chance to explain that they were Advent candles and we only light one each Sunday, and each Sunday has a theme: Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy. Then we light the last candle on Christmas Day; like a countdown. She liked that idea, but not as much as our Advent tree, which has 25 boxes, each with a verse from Luke 2, and a candy to eat.
Traditions are important, and fun! Now that our children are grown, they’re continuing some of the habits we began when they were little, and developing new ones of their own. Some of them are rooted in faith, and others (like driving around to look at Christmas lights) are just for fun.
I’ve been reading in the book of Exodus lately, which is interesting during the Christmas season, and strangely applicable. I love how God always gives us just what we need from His Word. Take these verses, for instance: God told Moses, “When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians’” (Exodus 12:26-27, NIV).
The Israelites had yet to escape 430 years of slavery in Egypt, but already, God was instructing them how to celebrate that rescue each year. In the same way, we need to be prepared to answer our kids’ questions about our Christmas traditions (and what we do for each holiday). There are so many symbols for this season that have significant meaning!
Candy canes were created to represent the sweetness of Jesus’ love and His sacrifice for us. Lights remind us of the light of our Savior who came into this world darkened by sin and hopelessness. The song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was written so parents could secretly teach their children about Christianity, in a time when it was against the law to do so.
How do you “do” your Christmas? Your answers might be somewhat different than mine, however, here is my short list. If I told you everything I love about Christmas, this blog would be too long for you to read!
We sing Christmas carols and songs about Jesus because music is essential to my life and brightens even the toughest day. The lyrics tell His story in an easy to remember format. Plus, many of them are calming and help me take a breath in what can be a crazy, busy month.
Kelly and I fill the house with nativity scenes because, after all, it is Jesus’ birthday. We do put up stockings and have a few Santa ornaments, but choose to focus on Jesus and are upfront with our grandchildren about him. We have fun joking about Santa, but let them know the real St. Nicholas was actually a godly man who was kind and generous to those in need, but only a man. We don’t want to pretend Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are all real, only to break their hearts when they find out they’re not, and cause them to wonder, when they grow up, if Jesus is a fairy tale too.
Next, I love lights! Candles, outside lights, decorative lights on the tree and around the house. Since I experience occasional sadness during the long dark days of winter, I love all sources of light. I totally understand how people around the world, who haven’t heard about the One true God, could fall into worshiping the sun (literally, not just laying out to get a tan), offering sacrifices and begging it to come back every spring. I’m so glad Jesus not only created light, but came as The Light of the world to shine His love on us.
Another Christmas must, is gathering with other Christians—Sunday morning, mid-week, Christmas Eve, and for other fun events of the season. This is our forever family and they, of all people, understand what Christmas is all about. I love sharing with each other what scriptures have been speaking to us, and how God has answered our prayers. We also mourn with each other. I lost three friends in November, and it’s just under a year since my dad passed, so I’ve attended a few funerals lately. However, for those who were believers, we do not mourn as those who have no hope.
Finally, Kelly and I gather with our family. We love celebrating life together. Of course, food is always involved, and that’s fun too. But after our tummies are full and we’ve unwrapped all our presents, we love just hanging out, hearing all their news, and watching our ten grandchildren (eleven next year!) play together.
I don’t want to hang onto meaningless rituals, but live intentionally. We sure don’t need more clutter or meaningless events to fill our calendar! I’m challenged to tell others why we do the things we do; it’s because we love Jesus and want everything in our lives to point to Him, even wearing elf costumes on ugly sweater day at church (because God created fun and laughter). If we can’t explain it, or know why we do it, then maybe we need to let it go.
Why do you do what you do? Do you need to focus more on Jesus, or simplify your over-busy schedule so you can?
Praying you all have a very Merry and Meaningful Christmas!