Christmas for us has always been a time for gathering family and enjoying the time together. For the past 27 yrs, we've been getting family together to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. It'd be our parents, siblings, inlaws, neices and nephews- and close friends gathered together in one place once a year. The night was so anticipated and enjoyed on so many levels. The friends would flow through on their way to other events, but always seemed to linger at our house as part of our "family". We'd gather these people and share food, hugs and time together. We even leave our guests (those who didn't want to join us) and go off to the Christmas Eve service, come back and rejoin the festive crowd.
We've evolved into doing a gift swap and it really isn't about the gift as much as it's about the time together and the comedic attempts to come up with a gift to make everyone laugh. It's a pretty humorously creative crowd. I've tried to cancel it or even modify it- DENIED by the group. So, I guess it stays as is.
As the years have gone on, the nieces and nephews and our children now consider it a "must do" event. With everyone going in so many different directions and now living all over the U.S. and Europe, Christmas Eve is one of those events that they really try to be home for. It's still one of the only times we all just get together and share time, laughs, and love. I wouldn't trade it for any store bought gift that the Ad wizards are trying to sell me. My family is my greatest blessing and I love taking Christ's birthday as the day to celebrate these great gifts simultaneously.
Merry Christmas to you all- Nancy Hill
Showing posts with label new traditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new traditions. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Savoring Family Breakfast
A couple traditions come to mind. Christmas is one of two days of the year when our busy family sits down to have breakfast together (Easter Sunday - or sometimes Easter "Saturday" - is the only other day). We get up early on Christmas morning (but it gets a little later each year it seems), open our stockings, and then have breakfast. Nancy has been making cinnamon rolls for Christmas ever since we met. She serves those plus scrambled eggs, sausage, and fruit. We pray together before the meal, we (at least try to) eat slowly to savor the moment, and then move on to opening Christmas presents. It's one of my favorite parts of the day and the season, especially as family times with all 6 of us in the room are becoming more rare, and more precious, with each passing year.
Another tradition of my own is I listening to the entire Handel's Messiah. I try to do it every Advent season, but given the length of the piece sometimes I have to break it up into "segments" instead of listening to the entire thing in one sitting. I love the music and find it spiritually moving to reflect on the many Scriptures - especially the O.T. prophecies - that comprise the words of this great musical oratorio. I would like to learn more about the history of the piece.
May you experience the true joy of knowing Christ the Messiah this Christmas!
John Feehrer
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
Another tradition of my own is I listening to the entire Handel's Messiah. I try to do it every Advent season, but given the length of the piece sometimes I have to break it up into "segments" instead of listening to the entire thing in one sitting. I love the music and find it spiritually moving to reflect on the many Scriptures - especially the O.T. prophecies - that comprise the words of this great musical oratorio. I would like to learn more about the history of the piece.
May you experience the true joy of knowing Christ the Messiah this Christmas!
John Feehrer
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A Moving Nativity
When our children were very young my wife came up with the idea to make the Nativity set an active living part of the Christmas season to involve the kids and help them understand the Christmas story.
We would set the manger in a destination spot with just the cow and the star from our set. Then we would put Joseph, Mary and the donkey across the room and do the same with the three kings and the shepherds and sheep, each having their own starting point. Then through the advent season we would read the scriptures that tells the story of what happened to each group and why they traveled. Then each day we would have the children move each of the grouping closer and closer toward the manger so that they all end at the manger scene by Christmas day. Christmas eve when the kids were asleep we put the baby Jesus in the manger.
The children loved it and could not wait to move the pieces each day. It was fun watching Mary and Joseph cross the hutch then the book shelf to the piano then into the manger scene. The shepherds crossed two window sills and a coffee table to the scene. while the three kings traveled from the edge of a desk over the stereo on to a side table then a speaker to the scene last. As we turned to scripture to be accurate with the interactive nativity experience we learned a great deal too. It is something we do every year and now that two of our children have grown out of that faze we still keep the tradition. We thought you may like the story.
Brian & Marlies Henderson
We would set the manger in a destination spot with just the cow and the star from our set. Then we would put Joseph, Mary and the donkey across the room and do the same with the three kings and the shepherds and sheep, each having their own starting point. Then through the advent season we would read the scriptures that tells the story of what happened to each group and why they traveled. Then each day we would have the children move each of the grouping closer and closer toward the manger so that they all end at the manger scene by Christmas day. Christmas eve when the kids were asleep we put the baby Jesus in the manger.
The children loved it and could not wait to move the pieces each day. It was fun watching Mary and Joseph cross the hutch then the book shelf to the piano then into the manger scene. The shepherds crossed two window sills and a coffee table to the scene. while the three kings traveled from the edge of a desk over the stereo on to a side table then a speaker to the scene last. As we turned to scripture to be accurate with the interactive nativity experience we learned a great deal too. It is something we do every year and now that two of our children have grown out of that faze we still keep the tradition. We thought you may like the story.
Brian & Marlies Henderson
Friday, December 11, 2009
An Irish Tree and Family
Christmas always focused on the family getting together and enjoying each others's company. My mother would bake a cake for baby Jesus and on Christmas Eve we would sing Happy Birthday to Him. Then we would play games and participate in a Yankee Swap. My family has a strong Irish Heritage so, my mother always made a big deal about her Irish Christmas Tree (a tree devised of all Irish ornaments, Clover garland and green beaded strings).
Christmas day was a time when Paul and I would spend quiet time with our children, we'd make a Huge family breakfast and pull out all of the best dishes. We would talk about the things that we love about the season and we did a lot of laughing! We would then spend the later part of Christmas day with Paul's family. Of course the day is never complete until we watch the Christmas Story which plays around the clock on television. I personally find great joy in watching Paul laugh heartily at the same scenes year after year!
This year it seems that our traditions are changing. My mother and father have passed away; however I have inherited the Irish Christmas tree! So, as we put up the tree this year we talked about how "Nanny" would make Christmas fun for the kids and how the Irish tree was such a huge part of Christmas. My sister will be bringing the birthday cake for Baby Jesus and we will all gather at our house to play games and participate in a yankee swap. The twist for this year is that all yankee swap gifts must be home made. No store bought gifts allowed! Everyone is very excited about this and have been spending lots and lots of time considering their individual creativity and what they would like to make.
Our daughter has gotten married and has a home of her own. So, I am not sure what Christmas day will be like this year - but, I am excited at the new traditions that are forming! One thing is for sure - The Christmas Story will be watched!
The Winchester's
Christmas day was a time when Paul and I would spend quiet time with our children, we'd make a Huge family breakfast and pull out all of the best dishes. We would talk about the things that we love about the season and we did a lot of laughing! We would then spend the later part of Christmas day with Paul's family. Of course the day is never complete until we watch the Christmas Story which plays around the clock on television. I personally find great joy in watching Paul laugh heartily at the same scenes year after year!
This year it seems that our traditions are changing. My mother and father have passed away; however I have inherited the Irish Christmas tree! So, as we put up the tree this year we talked about how "Nanny" would make Christmas fun for the kids and how the Irish tree was such a huge part of Christmas. My sister will be bringing the birthday cake for Baby Jesus and we will all gather at our house to play games and participate in a yankee swap. The twist for this year is that all yankee swap gifts must be home made. No store bought gifts allowed! Everyone is very excited about this and have been spending lots and lots of time considering their individual creativity and what they would like to make.
Our daughter has gotten married and has a home of her own. So, I am not sure what Christmas day will be like this year - but, I am excited at the new traditions that are forming! One thing is for sure - The Christmas Story will be watched!
The Winchester's
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Caroling on Christmas Morning
Our first tradition, which started when my grandchildren were babies, is to have a birthday cake (candles too) and celebrate Jesus' birthday. This is part of our Christmas Eve family get together and would not be complete without the cake and music.
The second tradition(last year was the first) is to go to the Life Care Center in No. Billerica and sing Christmas Carols in the Alzheimer's Unit on Christmas morning. This included friends and family (two of my grandchildren are 10 and 11). The grandchildren made small gifts for each of the patients which they personally gave to each patient. The Alzheimer's patients, some of whom never talk, could remember the words. Music is such a great thing to bring out the happiness and joy hidden in people. The last song we sang was the 12 Days of Christmas. We did fine until we got to the 12th day and no one could remember. We just stopped at 11 and no one knew the difference.
Both these traditions are such a rewarding experience and have given my family the real spirit of Christmas.
Blessings,
Deb Willard
The second tradition(last year was the first) is to go to the Life Care Center in No. Billerica and sing Christmas Carols in the Alzheimer's Unit on Christmas morning. This included friends and family (two of my grandchildren are 10 and 11). The grandchildren made small gifts for each of the patients which they personally gave to each patient. The Alzheimer's patients, some of whom never talk, could remember the words. Music is such a great thing to bring out the happiness and joy hidden in people. The last song we sang was the 12 Days of Christmas. We did fine until we got to the 12th day and no one could remember. We just stopped at 11 and no one knew the difference.
Both these traditions are such a rewarding experience and have given my family the real spirit of Christmas.
Blessings,
Deb Willard
Focusing on Christ
I don't know about the rest of you but seasons of business tend to threaten my time with God. At Advent many of us can find time to read and do daily devotionals with our kids. In an effort to consolidate tasks, I found myself tempted to "count" that as my own devotional time. While family devotions are really important, I've learned that I shouldn't let it replace my own prayer time. I am convinced that the most important thing for me to do during Christmas is to continue my one-on-one time with God- regardless of how many other things are on my plate. While I love praying with my kids (and I'm sure God does too), I don't tend to sit still in God's presence for long enough or open my heart as much when I'm worried about their needs.
On those days when I don't cast my cares upon Him, the wonderful and fun things on my "to do" list become overly important - all out of perspective.
So that's my suggestion- in addition to reading about Advent as a family, preserve and enjoy your time sitting quietly with your Heavenly Father.
Rachael
On those days when I don't cast my cares upon Him, the wonderful and fun things on my "to do" list become overly important - all out of perspective.
So that's my suggestion- in addition to reading about Advent as a family, preserve and enjoy your time sitting quietly with your Heavenly Father.
Rachael
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A New Tradition of Giving
Here's a tradition we recently began that I'd like everyone to consider.
Stop giving to people who already have more than they need and start giving to people who don't have basic necessities of life.
There are many ways to do this:
Contact Servants for Haiti (info@servantsforhaiti.org), an organization based right here at GCC. In a loved one's name, you can donate a bag of rice, medical care for an orphan, an education for a child, or other needed gifts.
Buy something from the World Vision gift catalog: http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10389 . Who wouldn't want to receive a goat, some ducks, or a chicken for Christmas, knowing that it will change a family's life? The catalog has dozens of ideas in all price ranges.
Or give the gift of water: http://www.water.cc/ . Lack of access to clean drinking water is one of the major causes of death around the world. Americans will spend $450 billion this Christmas. It would only take $10 billion to give every human in the world clean water. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K14c4NGuhDI )
I don't want to stand before my Savior at His throne (Mt 25) and explain why I spent the money He blessed me with to buy Zhu Zhu Pets for rich kids when children in other parts of the world are dying for lack of clean water to drink.
I wish we'd discovered the Advent Conspiracy years and years ago, but it's never too late. Repenting of my past extravagance means changing my present and my presents.
I want to celebrate Jesus's birth the way He would.
The Conti's
Stop giving to people who already have more than they need and start giving to people who don't have basic necessities of life.
There are many ways to do this:
Contact Servants for Haiti (info@servantsforhaiti.org), an organization based right here at GCC. In a loved one's name, you can donate a bag of rice, medical care for an orphan, an education for a child, or other needed gifts.
Buy something from the World Vision gift catalog: http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10389 . Who wouldn't want to receive a goat, some ducks, or a chicken for Christmas, knowing that it will change a family's life? The catalog has dozens of ideas in all price ranges.
Or give the gift of water: http://www.water.cc/ . Lack of access to clean drinking water is one of the major causes of death around the world. Americans will spend $450 billion this Christmas. It would only take $10 billion to give every human in the world clean water. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K14c4NGuhDI )
I don't want to stand before my Savior at His throne (Mt 25) and explain why I spent the money He blessed me with to buy Zhu Zhu Pets for rich kids when children in other parts of the world are dying for lack of clean water to drink.
I wish we'd discovered the Advent Conspiracy years and years ago, but it's never too late. Repenting of my past extravagance means changing my present and my presents.
I want to celebrate Jesus's birth the way He would.
The Conti's
Monday, December 7, 2009
Straight to Luke on Christmas Morning
We have one tradition that is inviolable. The first thing we do on Christmas morning, still yawning and cleaning sleep from our eyes, is read the Christmas story from Luke. As simple as it sounds, it centers our hearts on the center of the celebration. God became man. He humbled himself to be born in poverty, in the muck and stench of a stable, before He humbled Himself on a cross. Just as He set the tone for His life on that first day, His Story sets the tone for our day.
The Conti's
The Conti's
Traditions from a former Angel Tree Child
As a former "Angel Tree Child", there were many Christmas' that were happy only because there were others willing to share their blessings with our family. Thankfully, my sons do not have a childhood that looks anything like my own. However, I do want my boys' to know we are richly blessed and there are many less fortunate people in the world. Thus, it is very important for my husband and I to share this thrill of blessing others throughout the Christmas season. We are also intentional about planning and budgeting for gifts to our children. Below are a few of our Christmas traditions to help keep our focus on the celebration of the birth of our Savior and the Good News his birth brought to the world.
1. Before any gifts go under our tree, the boys make a donation box from the toys in their room and we make a trip together to drop the boxes off at a donation center.
2. For the past several years we have participated in Franklin Graham's Operation Christmas Child.
3. Jesus received three gifts from the wise men, so our boys receive three packages from us. This allows us to keep a budget and make it through Christmas debt free!
4. We can not pass a Salvation Army red bucket or bell ringers without putting something in the bucket. Yes, this sometimes requires a special trip to the ATM in order to have something to place int the bucket!
5. Each boy chooses a gift for other children either from an Angel tree or Toys for Tots.
6. The first ornament on our tree is the Christmas nail - to remind us that wood from a tree would one day be used for Jesus’ cross.
7. Christmas Eve Candle Service followed by a drive to look at Christmas lights. We go on a Nativity hunt, counting the number of nativities we see. It is amazing how the boys' remember the previous year's number of nativities to compare it too!
8. We do a random act of kindness– like giving an extra $25 – $100 (depends on the year and our budget) on a tip at a restaurant, or making a random payment on someone’s lay away at a store.
9. We do an advent calendar readings, and last year we added the advent wreath to our dinner table along with an advent story.
10. Our newest one is the Happy Birthday Jesus cake. The bottom layer is chocolate to represent sin. The middle is red for the blood Jesus shed for our sins. The top layer is green for the new life we receive after accepting Christ as our savior. The icing is white to represent Christ’s pureness. There is a yellow star in the middle of the cake for the star of Bethlehem. Placed in the center of the star is a larger purple candle to represent Jesus himself, the King of Kings. Encircling the star and Jesus candle are small candles for each person present. The circular cake represents the world and there are hearts on the sides of the cake to represent our goal of spreading God’s love around the world. After the Jesus candle is lit, each person lights their candle from His. We sing “Happy Birthday” and everyone blows out the candles.
Stephen & Peggy Brooks
1. Before any gifts go under our tree, the boys make a donation box from the toys in their room and we make a trip together to drop the boxes off at a donation center.
2. For the past several years we have participated in Franklin Graham's Operation Christmas Child.
3. Jesus received three gifts from the wise men, so our boys receive three packages from us. This allows us to keep a budget and make it through Christmas debt free!
4. We can not pass a Salvation Army red bucket or bell ringers without putting something in the bucket. Yes, this sometimes requires a special trip to the ATM in order to have something to place int the bucket!
5. Each boy chooses a gift for other children either from an Angel tree or Toys for Tots.
6. The first ornament on our tree is the Christmas nail - to remind us that wood from a tree would one day be used for Jesus’ cross.
7. Christmas Eve Candle Service followed by a drive to look at Christmas lights. We go on a Nativity hunt, counting the number of nativities we see. It is amazing how the boys' remember the previous year's number of nativities to compare it too!
8. We do a random act of kindness– like giving an extra $25 – $100 (depends on the year and our budget) on a tip at a restaurant, or making a random payment on someone’s lay away at a store.
9. We do an advent calendar readings, and last year we added the advent wreath to our dinner table along with an advent story.
10. Our newest one is the Happy Birthday Jesus cake. The bottom layer is chocolate to represent sin. The middle is red for the blood Jesus shed for our sins. The top layer is green for the new life we receive after accepting Christ as our savior. The icing is white to represent Christ’s pureness. There is a yellow star in the middle of the cake for the star of Bethlehem. Placed in the center of the star is a larger purple candle to represent Jesus himself, the King of Kings. Encircling the star and Jesus candle are small candles for each person present. The circular cake represents the world and there are hearts on the sides of the cake to represent our goal of spreading God’s love around the world. After the Jesus candle is lit, each person lights their candle from His. We sing “Happy Birthday” and everyone blows out the candles.
Stephen & Peggy Brooks
Gifts for the everyday work
I've always enjoy baking different types of Christmas cookies and sharing them with coworkers and friends. I also put plate of wrapped cookies in my mailbox and Globe box with a card and money gift or DD card. For the trash and recycling guys, I set out a thermos of coffee with to-go cups, milk and sugar on the side,in a box turned sideways with a placemat to make it kind of nice. I put out a plate of cookies for them to take and a card with two or three DD gift-cards, usually the amount of guys that are working. They always appreciate a small break in their routine and are grateful for the gesture, and I love doing it.
The problem this year is that now we have just one big blue barrel that's taken by mechanical arms; how to make the driver see the cookies? I'll work on that one.
Cyn
The problem this year is that now we have just one big blue barrel that's taken by mechanical arms; how to make the driver see the cookies? I'll work on that one.
Cyn
Sunday, December 6, 2009
7 Nativities
We display 7 nativity sets throughout the house as a beautiful and constant reminder as to what the season is about. When Luke was small I used to move the angel and put her some place in the house where he would come upon her so he could return her to her nativity set. I would also switch Joseph or a shepherd or a king from one nativity set to another and when he found them in the wrong manger he would have to remember where the other mangers were and put them back where they go. Over the past few years he has delighted in returning the fun. Luke also gets to put Jesus in all the mangers on Christmas morning which reminds us to celebrate His birth on that day.
Tracy MacKenzie
Tracy MacKenzie
A simpler Christmas
When our children were small (now 26 and 28), we started the tradition (with our extended family members) to make Christmas gifts ourselves. We have wonderful memories of planning, and spending time together to make gifts for cousins, uncles and aunts. Gifts they would truly enjoy and have good use of. Christmas memories include being amazed at each others skill and effort. The gifts were always very simple. Fudge, marmalade, cookies, small articles with folk art paintings, traditional Christmas cake, the list goes on. Everything baked or made from scratch. Most of the time we would use favorite family recipes. Often with home made tags and lots of thought put into the packaging. Always simple, inexpensive, but stylish.
We are still doing it today. The best part is, seeing how our daughter is keeping the same tradition in her own family and with her in-laws today. We are doing very little Christmas shopping, unaffected by the race and spending habits. We do not know what it means to be overwhelmed by Christmas expenses and hours of shopping.
We pray that this Christmas season will be a time of true rest and peace for you and your family.
Tian and Engelie Blomerus
We are still doing it today. The best part is, seeing how our daughter is keeping the same tradition in her own family and with her in-laws today. We are doing very little Christmas shopping, unaffected by the race and spending habits. We do not know what it means to be overwhelmed by Christmas expenses and hours of shopping.
We pray that this Christmas season will be a time of true rest and peace for you and your family.
Tian and Engelie Blomerus
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