In the spirit of passing down traditions from generation to generation, the Women Getting Real class shared our own family traditions with each other. Now we want to share the list with you.
MOVIES
It’s a Wonderful Life
The Grinch
Nativity Story (Side funny – when Chuck called Blockbuster about renting the Nativity Story, Charis overheard the clerk ask, “Who’s in it?” Without skipping a beat, she replied, “Mary and Joseph!”)
FOOD
Have a “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake.
Institute pizza and milkshake night on Christmas Eve – it keeps things simple!
Have a family cookie bake.
GIFTS
We give of our kids three gifts – just like the wise men gave three gifts to Jesus.
Make handmade gifts for important family members – we want to teach them to use their hands to bless others.
EVENTS
Find a Christmas event to go to – for example, the Living Christmas Tree, the Nativity Pageant, your church’s program.
Attend the Christmas parade.
Decorate with friends or family.
SERVICE
Find a way to serve – a soup kitchen, the angel tree, Operation Christmas Child.
Take cookies to the office or your local police or fire station.
Sing at or take stuffed animals to a nursing home.
ADVENT and CHRISTMAS DAY
Use an advent wreath or advent calendar.
Give Christmas blessings to each family member (see Birthday posts for how this works).
Act out part of the Christmas story.
” Before the kids get up, we go into their room while it is dark and dress them like the shepherds. Then Dad comes in as the angel and tells them that a Savior has been born! We all run down to see the nativity scene and read the Christmas story before we open our presents.”
Spend time at home and putter quietly before you hurry and scurry over to family festivities. This is especially great for singles.
Sing carols around the piano as a family.
Make it it an all night affair.
“Our family goes to church around 6 or 7, then we go to the biggest house we can and have worship – we play the guitar, pray, sing. At midnight, we all exchange gifts and we eat. Then we worship some more until dawn.”
May God shine brightly on you and through you this Christmas.
~Jana and the Women Getting Real Team