A Tribute to Tradition

It’s hard to tell when traditions actually begin or why they begin.  I just know my family has them, especially around Christmastime. 

First of all, we insist on having a live tree.  I’d like to say we go to a charming Christmas tree farm, but we don’t.  We usually go to the nearest tented lot or to Lowe’s.  The choosing of the perfect tree is a family effort, and we all get a vote.  Admittedly, my vote holds more weight than my children’s, but that’s okay.  I personally like tall, somewhat skinny, yet full trees.  We have a fairly high ceiling in our living room, and I like for the angel on top of the tree to touch it.  This can be tricky.  If the tree is too tall, it has to be trimmed.  When I was growing up, our Christmas trees often received flattops, courtesy of my father.

Once the tree is home, in the stand, and facing the right way (skimpy side to the back wall), we start pulling out decorations.  But before we begin wrapping the tree in white twinkle lights, It’s a Wonderful Life is inserted into the VCR (Yes, it’s old.  And yes, we still have a VCR.).  Even before we had children, Kevin and I began this tradition.  Since we’ve seen the classic movie dozens of times, we don’t have to give it our undivided attention.  (We can quote it, anyway.)  When our children were toddlers, we kept the tradition going, hoping the television would distract them from the breakable ornaments.  But now they just really love the movie.  And they know it’s tradition.

They also know that the next tradition is to eat chocolate chip cookies and drink hot chocolate.  You’d better believe they don’t forget this one!  We usually pull these out when we’re needing a break from tangled lights and ornaments without hooks–usually about the time George Bailey is yelling at Zuzu’s teacher on the phone.

Our favorite Christmas tradition, however, is one that lasts the entire month of December:  Advent.  As many evenings as possible, the five of us gather around the kitchen table, light the Advent candles, and talk about different stories in the Old Testament as well as various aspects of the story of our Savior’s birth.  Sometimes we have an activity to accompany the story.  It’s not a lengthy lesson, but it is meaningful.  Our children really look forward to this time.  They’ve even asked why we don’t “do Advent” all year long?  Good question.

What about you?  What traditions do you have in your home?  If you don’t have any, why not start some this year?  Whether they’re silly or serious, small or substantial, they’re all an important, unifying part of your family’s life, and they will help to create memories that last a lifetime.