Christmas Traditions

If your family does not already have
some Christmas traditions, let me recommend that you start some this year.  And in your traditions, don’t forget the “reason for the season”. 


Quite often our family meets at an
“away from home” site so our traditions have to be portable.  One year when we couldn’t find a Christmas
Eve Service to attend in Myrtle Beach, we went back to the condo and did our
own service.  This went so well that our
youngest grandson planned a service for a couple of years in Orlando.  Everyone had a part either reading scripture
or singing or playing Christmas music. 

When we were early in our marriage and were able to make it from California to
Mississippi, we always attended the Christmas Eve service at Harrisburg Baptist
Church in Tupelo.  We have memories of
communion where when everyone bit down on the “bread” it sounded like
thunder.  Then there was the year that
during the candle lighting part of the service a little boy got his candle too
close to his sister’s well sprayed hair and it ignited.  Another year we attended the Christmas Eve
Service at Ancient City Baptist Church in St. Augustine, FL and participated in
communion there.

The one “non-negotiable” is always we either attend or have our own service
before any gifts are opened.  If “Nana”
had her way no gifts would be opened until Christmas Day.  (That goes for birthdays also)

Whatever you do, make some memories that will stay with you for years.  I know of some families who go to a shelter
and help feed the homeless on Christmas. 
Others visit Nursing Homes and hospitals as a family to spread the joy
of Christmas. Sometimes we would go caroling in the neighborhood as a family. Get creative. 

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