Christmas Traditions

With Christmas quickly approaching I can't help but reminisc about old traditions that my family has long kept. Especially on my Mom's side of the family.

On my Momma's side we would celebrate in a different state every two years, with new jammies, Christmas Eve candle passing, telling what you were most thankful for, for the last year, the Christmas story read by my Daddy or one of my uncles, yam-yam buns, waiting your turn to open your present with 15 other people, Christmas night stockings to open, and a roast beast (it literally had to feed 16 of us so it was huge.) Don't let me forget the peanut butter balls! My Grammie would string me up by my toes if she knew I almost forgot the peanut butter balls! We were religious about the traditions and did not stray away until we got older and it became harder for everyone to travel with their busy schedules. I truly miss it, but I'm thankful for the traditions my Momma has so fervently kept alive for her little family! I'm also thankful for the new traditions that I have become a part of with JT's family.

I think we are all guilty of getting caught up in the busy season of Christmas especially since stores start putting out decorations earlier and earlier each year. Trust, I absolutely adore Christmas and everything it entails, but sometimes I forget why I should be celebrating. You probably need some reminding like I do from time to time. Well, it's about the cross. You thought I was going to say a baby in a manger didn't you? While the Christmas story is about Jesus in a manager, remember that is not where the story ends. That just happens to be a chapter. A chapter that leads up to Jesus dying on the cross, which is why Jesus was born in a manger in the first place. 

I'll be the first one to admit that I get caught up in the Christmas hustle and bustle and often lose sight of what is truly important, which to me is the reason why Jesus was born in a manger. He came to this Earth as a baby to one day pay the ultimate price as he died for our sins (ones we have already committed and ones that we have yet to commit.) 

Although it's so much fun to watch people open up the gifts you picked out for them, remember why Christmas is celebrated. Make that your new tradition, to remember why we should celebrate in the first place. Christ was born in a manger to one day die for us so that we may go to Heaven with him and celebrate every day. Keep the tradition of remembering Christ in Christmas alive.