Building traditions together as a family is one of the
things that helps cement families together in unity. Every
family member anticipates with pleasure the joy of
traditions. Traditions are looked upon with fondness when
the children are grown.
We have developed an annual tradition of putting up our
Christmas tree on the Monday following Thanksgiving. We put
on Christmas songs to enhance the Spirit of Christmas as we
decorate together. Sometimes we listen to Swedish Christmas
songs to remember the heritage that comes from my side of
the family. Sometimes we listen to the Smother's Brothers as
my husband reminisces about memories he had at
Christmastime.
{You can see our traditional Swedish Julboken in the
picture above.}
If it is December by this Monday, then we read a
Christmas story and scripture and sing a song from our
treasured Countdown to Christmas book. We often talk
about some of our other traditions. {Here's a
link to
view our other Christmas traditions}
Most of all, we cherish our time together. Posting this
picture reminds me that it wasn't very long ago that all my
children were shorter than I am. Now, some are taller than
Dad! {Since this picture, we have added one child, but one
has left the nest, leaving the head count the same around
here.}
When
we get the tree all done, we turn out all the lights except
those on the Christmas tree, eat a favorite Christmas treat
(possibly
these),
and be still for a while and think about what Christmas
really means.