Adventures in Being

Christmas tradition #five! Last but not least is what I call Clean Up and Spring Welcome!

As much as I thoroughly enjoy and anticipate Christmas all year long, I also thoroughly enjoy and find Spring to be so refreshing! A time of new beginnings if you will. Everything is new, and fresh, and clean; the beautiful deep, bright colors of Autumn are past, the twinkling lights and Christmas music have been stored away until next year and soon little blooms will cover the trees with beautiful little flowers of all colors! Ah.. how refreshing.

Thus our tradition of taking care of December decorations during the fourth week in preparation for the New Year!

Happy New Year to one and all!!

Christmas Tradition #3 happens on Christmas Eve and really started two years ago. (This was the year cancer awareness became a personal part of our lives) Rather than spend the days prior to Christmas baking untold (unhealthy) goodies:D, each family member chooses their favorite Christmas goodie and every one gathers in the kitchen to bake together.

We have such a special time together discussing the year past and the one yet to come; together with all the things we are so thankful for.

May you have a truly peace filled Christmas Eve tomorrow.

Christmas tradition #three involves Christmas ornaments!

Every year each person is given a predetermined amount of money by which to choose their own ornament. In previous years we have always chosen our Christmas Ornaments from Bombay. (Needless to say we were extremely sad to see their doors close.) We are considering a few different purchasing options this year, we shall see...

Does your family have any traditions involving Christmas ornaments?

Our Second Christmas Tradition involves Jesus and Santa Clause!

The true meaning of Christmas is God's great love and that of Jesus in that both were willing to send and be sent as a gift of tangible love to this world from Heaven above. Jesus came that we might live in truth and peace and follow in His footsteps.
So each year, we celebrate Jesus birthday and thank Him for loving us so much to come and physically live with us.

The other part of Christmas involves the music and lights, snowflakes and warm tea, Sam's homemade Pizza and games around the Christmas Tree, Papai's pipe and Mamae playing Christmas Carols. And yes along with all that is this jolly Ho! Ho! Ho! man that we see in nearly every store either as a toy or a person in costume. For our family he is just a happy part of the Christmas decorations.

So on Christmas Eve we make Papai's favorite cookies and give him a tall glass of milk together with lots of hugs and kisses. And then Mamae and Papai Santa dance and kiss by twinkling light of the Christmas Tree and warm fireplace after which all the children go quickly to bed while "visions of sugar plums dance in their heads".

Christmas Traditions are something that our family takes seriously, we do not rush them, we choose them carefully and if once trying them we realize they do not "fit" we quickly relinquish them. This makes the holidays more sincere, not as busy and truly memorable for our family.

One of our traditions involves our love of books. All year long we collect Christmas books of all kinds and come December, we read one book a day all month long! Then at the end of the month each child is able to choose five of their favorites for their personal library. The book left over are given as gifts to children who do not have a safe place of their own yet with the prayer that they will one day - Soon.

What are some of your families favorite Christmas traditions?