I had lunch with a good friend today, and one of the things he asked me was, “What are some of your Christmas traditions?” Instead of listing traditions, I ended up telling him what we actually do each year.
On Christmas Eve we spend time with my mom and dad. Christmas Day is always at home with our son and daughter, and this year we’ll be adding our son-in-law. Then on the 26th we celebrate with Nicole’s side of the family. But when it comes to long-standing traditions—things we’ve done every single year—I wasn’t sure we really had any.
At one time, our tradition was putting up the Christmas tree the weekend of Thanksgiving. That was back when the kids were little—little meaning before they went off to college. Then there was the times they would wake up early, knock on our bedroom door on Christmas morning, and we’d all go downstairs together to open gifts. I guess that would be a second tradition. But through the years, these moments never lasted more than a few seasons. Everything seems to have faded and been replaced with other things. Yes, Christmas changes even when you don’t want it to.
However, as I have thought about it more, I realized there is one tradition we’ve kept every single year—one that has outlasted all the others. Before we open gifts on Christmas morning, or on Christmas Eve before bed, we read the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2. We’ve been doing that since long before the children were born. And that’s a tradition worth fighting to keep.
A lot has changed over the years. My grandparents have all passed away. My dad has gone to be with the Lord. The kids are adults now with lives of their own. Nicole’s family isn’t made up of “young ones” anymore (my nieces and nephews are older now—except for the three we still call “the littles”). So many things change over time.
But regardless of all the variables that change from year to year, one thing remains the same: the Real reason for the season. God became flesh and was laid in a manger—an event that changed the course of human history. A Savior had come into the world.
So, I’m thankful we’ve had at least one tradition that has stretched across 29 years: reading the Christmas story before any gifts are opened. It is the anchor for our entire season.
And that will NEVER change.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
— Luke 2:7
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