Christmas traditions we love

As we come to the final days before Christmas, one of the things that strikes me is how tradition plays a major role in how we celebrate the holiday.

For many, Christmas is an important religious day when families celebrate the birth of the Christ child. That is, after all, why millions around the world honor this day in the first place.

For many, it is a day for family and friends, when we gather together to laugh and love and share stories and gifts.

Those with kids, especially young kids, know Christmas as an especially magical time when a sense of anticipation and wonder fills the season. The littlest ones seem to like the wrapping paper best of all.

For others, it’s about decorating. I know of families who trim multiple trees and display them in various rooms in the house. Homes are adorned from front to back with seasonal items placed just so, items that come out once a year. Cats love them, too, by the way – and toddlers. Care is taken to “cat proof” and “kid proof” Christmas trees and decorations.

For our family, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the Christmas Eve service at the church capped by the singing of “Silent Night.” And we always listen to the Menotti opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”

Why? First, “Amahl” is a wonderful story about a poor crippled boy who selflessly gives up his only possession, his crutch, to the Christ child in case he needs one. Second, the music is beautiful. Third, because it has been part of our Christmas family tradition – there’s that word again – for my entire life.

When we visited exchange student friends in Germany, their tradition was to eat fish for Christmas, so on the big day – they celebrated on Christmas Eve Day -- we drove to a nearby lake, met a fisherman, and purchased, yes, a carp. It said right on the sign “karpfen.” This was likely a religious tradition to begin with, but it had become a family tradition for our friends. Our hostess, Antje, didn’t seem too thrilled about preparing the meal, with the fish still twitching initially. Her facial expressions were priceless. But it was tradition.

They trimmed the tree and opened presents on Christmas Eve, by the way, another German tradition.

Whatever each of our family traditions are, let us all allow ourselves to relax and let it all sink in this week. Enjoy your family, your sharing of gifts, your decorations, your special meals and your celebration of the birth of Christ.

Ultimately, Christmas is about love -- unconditional love – we learned from the story of the humble birth of the Prince of Peace. That love is shared through our traditions. Enjoy the holiday, and if you can, find time for some peace.

Merry Christmas!

Note: This column was first published in 2016.