Teddy James
AFA Journal staff writer
November-December 2010 – Parents across this country long for the look on their children’s faces when they unwrap that toy they have dreamed about for the last month. Images from the Sears Catalog and videos posted to Web sites such as YouTube are filled with children jumping up and down in their pajamas, screaming with glee while Mom and Dad excitedly whisper to each other, “He really likes it!”
Think back to the most memorable Christmas of your childhood. Think of that moment you will never forget. What comes to mind? A gift? Or a memory of something that didn’t come in a box? While full bellies and empty wallets may have defined many Christmases past, families today are rediscovering the value of personal, meaningful Christmas traditions.
There are as many family traditions as there are families who celebrate Christmas. Some traditions begin by pure accident. The Web site www.thelaboroflove.com recounts the story of one family’s Christmas Eve being so hectic they decided to go out to eat. As they drove around late that night, the only restaurant open was Chinese. Now the family has Chinese takeout every Christmas Eve.
In lieu of big boxes wrapped in shiny paper, traditions can create rich and memorable moments. Some traditions can take place inside your home and others may begin there but quickly spread outside the walls. One such tradition, as obvious as it may seem, is the reading of the Nativity story as a family. This simple act is left out of many family Christmas traditions. However, it can be a great way of bringing the Gospel into the Christmas festivities. Depending on the age of your children, you can ask them questions such as, “What do you think Mary’s mommy thought about her riding a donkey to Bethlehem?” Other questions could focus on the different characters such as “How do you think the inn keeper felt after Jesus was born?”
Faith builders
In an effort to make the story come to life for your children, you could turn the living room into ancient Bethlehem with just a few cardboard boxes and old sheets. Costumes can be made of old towels and clothes far too big for them. With the wide availability of video cameras today, filming your children’s performance would be an event not only to look forward to, but also something you and your family can watch year after year.
But who says the Nativity story has to be discussed only once during the month of December? Does it have to be read during one day, or could the experience be spread out over the entire month? The use of an Advent calendar or an Advent wreath can help draw out different ideas about Christmas and give your family many opportunities to bond and serve. Many Advent calendars have small windows for children to open each day of Advent, which begins the Sunday closest to November 30. This year that date is November 28.
On one day they could open a window with a slip of paper telling them to read the story and focus on the wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The next day they could receive a challenge such as finding something in their room to give away. They could give it to a friend at school or take it to a homeless shelter and give it to someone who will not receive anything else for Christmas. This simple act of kindness, birthed by opening a small window, could easily lead to a discussion on the gift that was given to us that first Christmas morning.
Another tradition that points to the reason for Christmas is the traditional Seder meal. The Seder meal is experienced by many families as a way of remembering the cross during Christmas. As amazing and awe-inspiring as the story of Christmas is, it would be meaningless without Easter.
The Seder meal is traditionally done at Passover, as a way of remembering when the angel of death passed over the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 12). The components of the Passover meal include: matzah, unleavened bread; wine or grape juice; maror or a bitter herb such as horseradish; a bone with meat to symbolize the sacrificial lamb; a hardboiled egg to symbolize the destroyed temple; Charoses, a sweet mixture of wine, apples and nuts to symbolize the mortar Jews used and a plain vegetable with salt water for dipping. Jesus celebrated the Passover as He instituted the Lord’s Supper. Partaking of this tradition will not only bring the family together for a meal, but it will be a meal with a deep spiritual meaning.
The Seder meal points forward to the sacrifice made by Jesus on our behalf.
Fun activities
After the somberness of the Seder meal, it is time to have fun while still pointing to the Gospel in Christmas. Your kitchen may get messy in this tradition, along with the kids’ hands, hair, shirt and anything else within a five-foot radius, but the memories will be invaluable.
The candy cane can be traced back to 1670 when a German monk took a traditional white, straight candy stick and bent it to look like a shepherd’s staff. He gave the treats to children during long Christmas services to keep the children occupied. The custom took off in Europe and eventually in America. Around 1900, the red stripes were added and a distinctly Christian message was attached to the shape, color, flavor and hardness of the candy. You can make this simple treat with your family, or find another favorite sweet and see what kind of Christmas symbolism you can give it. This would also be another great opportunity to break out the camera for a good laugh during future Christmases.
The only thing to remember when making these sweet treats is to be creative. Make a gingerbread Nativity. Any store-bought gingerbread house kit can be easily modified to make an inn or manger. The children can decorate the manger and the characters with icing. Also, making pretzels gives you an opportunity to explain they were given to children as rewards for saying their prayers as early as the 12th century. As fun as making these with children can be, watching children hand someone a pretzel or cookie they helped make is priceless. Especially if given to someone who may not receive any other gift this year.
Some families visit a nursing home, a homeless shelter or a hospice house during the Christmas holidays. Those are wonderful gestures, but remember those with whom you have more frequent contact, such as a freind who is separated from his family during the season. Deliver your candy or cookies to others or invite them over for a Christmas meal. That would not only allow your family to serve someone, but it would also provide an opportunity for your friend to see Christ in you.
Whatever traditions you decide to start with your family, what is important is that you start them. Allison Woods, a Bible teacher and retreat speaker, wrote about the importance of Christmas traditions. She says her family is a military family. They move frequently and the traditions they observe every year give her kids a sense of stability. She has some guidelines when thinking about traditions for her family.
Recognize that some traditions just happen. Like the couple with Chinese takeout, some traditions are uniquely yours. You can’t plan every tradition, but for the ones you do plan, make sure they include everyone. Whether your children are still young or are grown, make sure it can expand to include spouses and grandchildren. Woods says to choose activities that reflect faith. Remember why we celebrate Christmas and make sure every tradition points to the Gospel of Jesus coming to earth for us. She further says to choose traditions that will serve others. Some traditions will be done inside your home and are exclusive to your family. However, all believers need to use this season as a springboard to launch them into showing the love of God every day of the year. Woods’ final suggestion is to choose traditions that can easily be reproduced every year.
It is not Christmas in the James family – my family – until grandmother brings out the warm banana pudding and pecan pie. Your traditions may be similar. But this year, maybe it’s time to make new traditions and share our old ones with others. Instead of just watching It’s a Wonderful Life, – live it. 
Memories with meaning
Even watching a favorite Christmas movie, like Frank Capra’s 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life, can be a teaching opportunity.
Dr. Kevin Purcell (www.kevinpurcell.org), pastor of High Peak Baptist Church in Valdese, North Carolina, offers four studies that correspond with the film. The study uses he film to teach four biblical principles:
• When God Changes Your Plans
• People Have Real Value. George, like Jesus, is the example.
• Where Do You Turn When You’re In Trouble? When George’s Uncle Billie loses $8,000, he turns to a number of sources for help.
• Do You Have An Impact On Others? – George learns that he really did matter to the people around him.
