During the holidays it is so easy to focus on creating traditions in your family. As you look back at what you did to celebrate Christmas when you were growing up, you probably did similar things every year. While you do want to provide that for your children, you may choose to leave some of your traditions behind and create new ones for your family. It can also be difficult to create family traditions when you are not at home for Christmas, but visiting family.
My favorite traditions are the ones that focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Growing up my family always adopted another family and we either did a Sub for Santa or a Twelve Days of Christmas activity. This was a great way to focus on service and to help bring the spirit into the home. We also devoted Christmas Eve entirely to remembering Christ. We would have a dinner, and then act out the nativity and sing hymns and Primary songs about Christmas. Then we would go to bed. This helped us to remember what we should truly be focusing on.
As an adult I enjoy having my children learn about the true meaning of Christmas as well. The time we spend acting out the Nativity and talking about the birth of Christ helps me to feel the spirit of giving much more than anything else that we do. As we talk about Christ’s birth, it is important to talk about his life and all that he did for each one of us. The spirit of love and giving that comes with Christmas should follow us throughout the year if we are focusing on Christ in our daily lives.
As a parent I have established the tradition of acting out the Nativity on Christmas Eve. We do have other traditions that we have adopted from my husband’s family as well. I want my children to look back on their Christmases and remember that the birth of Christ was always a central theme in our celebration of the holiday. What are some traditions your family has to remember the true meaning of Christmas?
Related Articles:
Five Ways to Focus on the True Meaning of Christmas
Family Home Evening: The Twelve Days of Christmas