2007-12-21 Christmas

A friend recently had some negative things to say about Christmas and this got me thinking about why Christmas is so important to me and my family.

To me Christmas is so much more than just one holy day; it’s a celebration that goes on for several weeks.

This year the season began for us Thanksgiving weekend when we decorated our Christmas tree, hung our stockings, and put up a multitude of old and new indoor decorations. A week and a few trips to American Sale later our best ever outdoor display was complete. Don’t believe my second-grader when she says we spent $800 on lights. That is not true. It is true that her Christmas wish list is the longest we’ve ever seen.

Why is Christmas important to me? Or course most significant is the celebration of Christ’s birth. The other reason is that this is a time of year rich with tradition including numerous social events. There are parties with friends, neighbors, and family, parties at work, church, and school. Church events include celebrating Advent during Sunday services, the annual children’s Christmas musical, the Silent Choir’s amazing performance of the Hallelujah Chorus, and the Christmas Eve candlelight service.

There are numerous opportunities to donate time, food, money, or gifts to those less fortunate. We, like many, have our favorite charities and organizations to support. Our children perform in magnificent concerts at school and in nursing homes.

I took a Christmas card photo of my children when I finally found a day that everyone was home at the same time, not sick, somewhat agreeable, and looking halfway decent. This is harder than it sounds! Our 118 cards are now in the mail. I love receiving beautiful cards and photos and Christmas letters, some from people I haven’t seen in years and some whom I’ve never met in person. The inside of our front door is quickly filling up with these greetings from all over.

There are dozens of gifts to be bought and wrapped. We visit Santa at Phillips Park and he always has plenty of time to talk with us and coax a shy child into a photo. This year there was the added bonus of the new light display at the park. My family has an annual Housewalk including a progressive dinner and a chance to see everyone’s Christmas decorations. There are opportunities to see Christmas plays, drive around looking at outdoor light displays, make cookies with relatives, and help decorate Christmas trees at Grandma and Grandpa’s and Aunt Becky’s.

There are several Advent Calendars in use at my house to count down to the big day. One daughter also keeps count on her white board starting long before December, and this same girl starts playing 93.9 FM on November 1 when they begin playing Christmas music around the clock. The high-schoolers aren’t happy to have finals just before Christmas but all are glad for the two week break from school.
Christmas is a magical time for us. On Christmas Eve my husband bakes oatmeal cookies, we do any last minute preparations, watch some traditional Christmas movies, go to church, and celebrate with the Tatar family before visiting Lehnertz Avenue. When we get home the kids each open a gift from their dad and me, we read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and put out milk and cookies for Santa. Some people are so excited they have a very hard time falling asleep.

The kids like to bargain for a wake-up time. They aren’t allowed to wake me at 3:30am even if they are ready to open presents then! I joke that I need to sleep until ten. Luckily for them, Santa leaves their stockings bursting full of goodies at their doorways so they can be entertained until it’s time to get everyone up. No one is allowed downstairs until then.

The fire is burning and Christmas music playing while we take turns opening gifts. What could possibly be more exciting than opening presents on Christmas morning? Later we head to the hall for the Hayton family Christmas gathering. It’s fun to see everyone and hear about their mornings. Tthe food is delicious and in addition to the children’s gift exchange, Santa visits to bring a gift for each child. In the evening we relax and exchange gifts at my parents’ house. It is an exhausting and wonderful day. A few days later we celebrate with the Hard family.

We enjoy giving and receiving. We enjoy the religious aspect of the season, the good food, music, parties, and time with friends and family. What’s not to love?
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.