Christmas Tradition, Anyone?

I know Kathi Macias from her books that help "set captives free," but she also writes to encourage believers to think intentionally about how they live for Christ. In this special Christmas UPLIFT, Kathi reminds us the holiday season is a perfect time to consider beautiful traditions and how they might bless our families.

“For some of us, the word ‘traditions’ has a negative connotation, as proclaimed in song in ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’” Kathi says.

“And though I loved the movie and am also cautious about the importance of some traditions, I’ve found they can be quite positive when practiced correctly."

"Tra-di-tion......"

Yes, I (Dawn) can hear that fiddler's song now. (Can't you?) Traditions can be cold and burdensome, but they can also be beautiful when they are laced with meaning that glorifies God and encourages others.

Kathi continues . . .

I’ve been working on my “brand” long enough to know that most readers associate me with two types of books: social-issues novels and Christmas stories. Whenever possible, I try to combine the two. But as they say, there are exceptions to every rule.

A Husband’s Christmas Prayer began as just such an exception.

It was, in fact, my publisher who suggested it—and God who confirmed it as I considered and prayed about taking it on.

The topic? A fictional “inside” look at a young pastor and his family, still finding their way through the ministry maze and learning to balance family and ministry commitments along the way.

This exception to my usual fare led to a story about a man who serves on a pastoral team in a large beach town, who excitedly accepts the offer to pastor a fledgling church in a small desert community two hours away.

His wife isn’t at all excited about the move, and though she tries to be supportive throughout the transition, her husband can’t help but notice the lack of joy in her responses.

As I wrote the book, I realized it isn’t only pastors and their families who can experience such a division in their lives.

I can remember more than one Christmas where I was less than enthusiastic about certain events in my life, and sadly, I allowed those feelings to dampen my usual holiday cheer.

But God is so faithful, isn’t He?

When we’re at our lowest, the Lord is right there to restore our joy, regardless of circumstances—if we’ll just let Him.

And that’s what I kept in mind as I wrote A Husband’s Christmas Prayer. I realized that most all families—pastors’ or otherwise—have special holiday traditions. Even if those traditions didn’t originate with Christmas, if they are steeped in the true meaning of Christmas, they can become tools God can use to draw us back into that place of joy.

For instance, albondigas (meatball) soup and birthday cakes.

As a German-Italian, I didn’t grow up eating albondigas soup—never even heard of it—but I was introduced to it when I was in high school and dating my Mexican-descent boyfriend (now husband).

A few years later, albondigas soup became a staple in our own family, and I enjoyed it so much that I wrote it into the story. (You can even find my sister-in-law’s recipe for it at the end of the book.)

The other tradition I included in the book started years ago when my youngest came home from his four- and five-year-old Sunday school class. Excitement lit up his face as he announced he wanted to make a birthday cake for Jesus. I assured him we could, then asked what made him want to do it.

He shrugged and said,

“Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, so He should get a cake.”

Out of the mouth of babes, right?

The Bible says Jesus was born according to the plan of God (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Galatians 4:4a; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20; John 1:14).

Well, sure enough, we made a birthday cake for Jesus and continued to do so every year thereafter. It’s a tradition we’ve endeavored to pass on to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and each one has thought it was a wonderful idea.

As it turns out, the pastor and his family in the book thought so too.

And God used those traditions to help bring healing to my fictitious family, just as He has done for our very real family—and others too, I’m sure.

What are some of the traditions your family shares that are "steeped in the true meaning of Christmas"? Does your family know WHY you practice these special traditions?

Kathi Macias is the author of 40 books, including titles in the "Freedom Series" and "Extreme Devotion Series." The Moses Quilt deals with racial and generational divides and the impact of the Gospel. A Husband's Christmas Prayer, which is mentioned throughout this post, is available here. A popular speaker and Bible teacher, Kathi lives in Southern California with her husband, Al. Learn more about Kathi and her books at www.kathimacias.com.

The 'A B Cs' of Growing a Child's Wonder at Christmas

A child's wonder at Christmas is a joy to behold. Sue Badeau explains three ways to expand that wonder in this Holiday UPGRADE.

“Growing a child’s wonder at Christmas is as simple as A, B, C,” Sue says, “and you can create many; special memories to ponder all year long.”

Do you have special holiday memories? Unique traditions? I (Dawn) have found they don't have to be complicated, just full of meaning for you and your family.

Sue continues . . .

When Hector and I first became parents, we hoped our children would ask, “I wonder what it was like to be in the field with the shepherds?” or “I wonder how I can celebrate Jesus birthday in a new way this year?” instead of “I wonder what Santa will bring me for Christmas?” So we set about planning Advent activities that wouldn’t focus on material gifts.

We wanted our children to truly experience the fullness and richness of the entire Advent season, and after a few hits and misses, we came up with a three-part strategy that we use to this day—now with grand and great-grandchildren.

A - Activities

Our activities engage all senses in discovering the true Christmas story.

We have a book of daily Advent readings, filled with scriptures and prayers that we read each night at the dinner table, followed by lighting the Advent candles. Everyone has a turn to be a reader as well as a listener.

In addition, throughout the month we find unique and creative opportunities to share, reflect upon, gain new insights into and re-experience the Christmas story through music, art, dance, crafts, baking—we made an elaborate Nativity scene out of bread dough one year—and more.

Our children connect with the miracles of the season by seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching things that enrich and deepen their ability to understand not only with their minds, but with their hearts and spirits.

B - Build

Build memories by repeating traditions. Whether it’s baking my mom’s shortbread cookies each Sunday during advent, or Hector’s mother’s tourtiers (meat pies) on Christmas eve or setting out Mexican luminarias for Las Posadas, repeating traditions from year to year deepens family bonding, creates anticipation and provides opportunities for re-telling the stories that illuminate the heart and soul of the season.

One year after our children were grown, we proposed eliminating a couple of traditions and nearly had a riot on our hands!

Traditions link the past to the present inviting memories and questions while also creating a sense of hopeful anticipation of a future where the legacy will be inherited by a new generation.

C - Celebrate

Celebrate every day. We create our own Advent calendar each year with an activity planned for each day, often tying the activity to a cultural celebration unique to one or more of our family members’ heritage.

Some of the activities are simple, such as reading a particular story, or hanging the stockings. (Stockings are hung on December 6^th, St. Nicholas’ Day, and we also reflect on the lessons we can learn from the life of the original St. Nicholas about giving in secret.

Other activities are more involved, such as shopping for gifts for needy children or going caroling throughout our neighborhood.

With an activity planned for each day, the sense of wonder, excitement and anticipation about this special season grows just as surely as the lights on our advent wreath grow brighter from week to week.

By the end of each Christmas season, like Mary, I have many special moments to ponder in my heart (see Luke 2:19) and I believe that each of my children do as well.

How can you upgrade your Advent celebration by providing opportunities for your children to experience Christmas with all of their senses throughout the season?

Note: Sue shares more of the wonder of the season in her two newly-released Christmas stories, The Christmas Primer, and Umoja—both released by Helping Hands Press.

Sue Badeau is a nationally known speaker, author, and child welfare and trauma expert. Sue and her husband Hector are lifetime parents of twenty-two children—two by birth and twenty adopted. They wrote the book Are We There Yet: The Ultimate Road Trip Adopting and Raising 22 Kids. Learn more about Sue at suebadeau.com and badeaufamily.com.

Graphic image adapted - Image courtesy of digidreamgrafix at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.