Every family has traditions.
Some are silly.
Some are serious.
Some are verbalized.
Some are denied.
Some are celebrated.
Some we attempt to hide.
Some build us up.
Some tear us down.
Some bring joy.
Some cause pain.
Some we chose.
Some we are left with.
Some we need to cling to.
Some we need to get rid of.
But we’ve all got family traditions.
This Christmas, might I recommend 3 traditions we ditch and 3 traditions we develop.
Ditch the tradition of doing everything. While there is much to do during Christmas holidays, doing them all will not leave you fulfilled, it will leave you exhausted. We often can arrive at the end of Christmas break and discover that the only thing that broke was us! Find important things that build your faith and family and invest there. Saying yes to the best means saying no to some lesser things.
Ditch the tradition of comparison. Let this be your Christmas. The neighbors may get that new car, new pool, new puppy, whatever, but that doesn’t mean you must, too. Focus on the joys of your family and celebrate the joys of others as well. Truth is, someone you love will have a much more materially this Christmas than you, and someone will have much less. Thank God for what He entrusts you with and give thanks!
Ditch the tradition of unrealistic expectations. Everything will not go as planned this Christmas. Aunt Edna, who was supposed to come to family Christmas dinner and was bringing the desserts, will cancel at the last minute. Or, Uncle Frankie and his five kids and six dogs, who you weren’t prepared for, suddenly will knock at the door. A gift will be lost, a dish burned, a sink will get clogged, or someone will get the flu. It happens. Every year. Don’t let the unexpected dictate the joy you have this season. Roll with it! The unexpected can make for some awesome stories you’ll laugh about later on.
Develop the tradition of providing memories over materials. Time is a precious resource. Once it is spent it can never return. Time well spent can create wonderful memories. Invest in making memories with your friends and families. While material gifts are kind and gracious, they are also temporary. Toys break, clothes are outgrown, stuff can get lost. Sweet memories can last for a lifetime.
Develop the tradition of an open hand. Not everyone is as blessed as you are. Some right now are really struggling and the Christmas season only amplifies the needs some already feel. Rather than moving through Christmas focused only on you and yours, keeping your hand clinched tightly with your resources to provide for those closest to you, open your hand to help those in need. It will make a difference for their Christmas and yours.
Develop the tradition of focusing on the important. Christmas is about Jesus, God Himself, coming to live among us. Jesus trumps Santa and elves on shelves. He is more important that office parties or holiday engagements. He is more special that shopping or putting up lights. We know this…right? Unfortunately, our mouths may say it, but our calendars don’t reflect it. Don’t give Jesus the leftovers, give Him the best. Let worship be the most vital part of your holiday season. Be in church Christmas Eve. Truth is, you want the next generation to love Jesus more than Santa and you want them to love Jesus more than your family. The only way they can learn that is through us teaching it and modeling it through our choices.
May your Christmas be filled with joy and the creation of wonderful memories. What new tradition will your family start this year?
Merry Christmas!