What do you remember most about Christmas as a child? Do you remember what you received each year, the fun traditions, or maybe even a mood surrounding the holidays? Thinking about these two questions helps me get my focus during this time of year. Answering these questions gave me insight into the things that can and will be remembered many years later.

In my family, we had some special traditions. Each year we were given an ornament. My mom made spritz cookies that were green trees or wreaths. They were delicious! We read the Christmas story before we opened gifts on Christmas morning. We had a brunch and spent time together as a family. We usually spent Christmas Eve with my mom's family and Christmas evening with my dad's family. Our Christmas' felt special and fun.

I have thought a lot over the last couple years about the traditions I want my children to enjoy and remember as adults. I want to make sure that we take time to do fun holiday things...drive around town and look at Christmas lights, drink cocoa and listen to Christmas carols, buy a gift for someone less fortunate, and make Christmas ornaments and decorations. I want them to have the nativity story as their reference for Christmas, rather than just Santa and gifts. I want them to realize the gift of giving and not get caught up in receiving.

I want to enjoy holiday activities and outings, but I really want them to have special and meaningful memories of what our own little family did to make the birth of Jesus special. I don't want to get so busy and distracted, that we look back on their young years and wish we had done it differently.

What is your goal of Christmas? What will you do to make the memories that are important and lasting? Pausing long enough to think about it just might make your holiday a better one!

 

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