Help with a new tradition
Brook at 5!
Ok, go with me here, let me set the scene: the lights are down, the Christmas music is on softly in the background (Delilah is talking to lots of servicemen overseas – yet again reminding us how much we have to be thankful for), house smells like dinner past, tree is twinkling and blinking, stockings are hung by the chimney with care… in short… a perfect Christmas holiday evening… and I am… alone! 
Hot tea, a book, my computer, and memories. Can’t beat that combination. I have been sitting here just loving the ambiance and thinking about holiday traditions. Honestly, sitting here considering the stockings I will be making soon for the next generation of James’. What a fun thing to consider. What joy those traditions- the laughter, the family lore of pageants (remember the donkey helping Mary have baby Jesus?), the stories that go on and on.
To me that is the warp and woof of the family – our identity. Every year adds another thread to the tapestry that is being woven by us collectively. I love it. Reminds me of the verse;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The word “workmanship” is the idea of a masterpiece. Like a wonderful tapestry, a fabulous piece of artwork woven painstakingly with love and laughter to be a masterpiece. That is a great thought.
What are your favorite traditions? Have you thought of starting a new one? I have, with the coming addition to the family, I want it to be meaningful for little ones. I am looking for great ideas, please send me yours!
Our tradition is to hang baby shoes among the ornaments on our Christmas tree. I have one shoe each for my two (grown now) children and one shoe for each of their children. It’s precious memories to hold those tiny little newborn shoes as I hang them on the tree each year. Their birth dates are written on the bottoms with a fine point permanent marker. Another tradition is The Stretch Game. Each child gets to open one present on Christmas Eve. They may choose the gift to open but the catch is they must lie on their stomachs and stretch for it while Grandpa holds onto their ankles. Grandpa “accidently” pulls them back an inch or two when they’re within reach of the present, but they eventually they get their prize! This gives them something to play with as they wait for Santa.
Merry Christmas, Liz
that’s the cutest little guy EVER!!!!!!!
Yeah…..what happened??