Holiday Memories

December 16, 2007

As Christmas fast approaches us I find myself thoughtfully looking back on my Christmas’s as a child.  I have a wonderful family and parents that felt Christmas was all about the family.  I remember my parents putting up the artificial tree (until the basement flooded an ruined the tree :-)) Setting up the advent wreath and my sisters an I arguing about who gets to light the pink candle and blow the candles out.  Many many hot family dinners around the picnic table we had in our dinning room, playing games and gift wrapping night.  There was always the trip to see my dad’s parents which resulted in my older sister and eye ridding bundled up in the back of the pick up truck (it had camper on it, I think that is what is called). We would talk about school and our friends and “arch” enemy’s.  We had many many good times.

With all this I am trying to create memories for my children. I want them to look back on the “goofy” things we did.  Driving around looking at Christmas lights and playing the light game.  Basically the car is divided in half.  We drive around and if a house has lights on your side you get a point.  This is a game my husbands family played and he and I started playing when we first started dating.  Last year the kids really got in to it and we had a great time riding to destinations.  We cut down our tree every year.  We used to decorate the day after Thanksgiving.  However, with our son’s birthday normally falling after Thanksgiving we have changed to the day after his birthday.  We decorate the yard, the tree and have a wonderful time as a family.  We take a short trip to Callaway Gardens to see the lights and enjoy nature.  The day before Christmas we make reindeer food, set out cookies for Santa and get ready.  I can feel the excitement the children have about the Jolly old Elf’s visit.  It takes me back to the many years my older sister and I anxiously waited and tried to stay awake as long as possible!  This year we are going to my younger sisters house to bake cookies.  She is a good bit younger then me.  She asked us to come make cookies with her because she was remembering when my best friend and I would take a day and make cookies with her, and as she put it “we would talk like Swedes” (as in the Swedish chef from the Muppets).  She is ready to start making memories with my kids.

One of the things I have truly been enjoying though this year is our son’s understanding of Christmas.  We have been lighting the advent wreath and reading the story of Christs birth.  Though we have talked about the meaning of Christmas before this is the first year that our son truly seems to be understanding some of the story.  It is wonderful to see him understand.  It has been wonderful to see him learn this and to know that I am teaching him about the biggest gift any of us can receive.  The gift of our Lord, the selfless sacrifice that Mary and Joseph made (risking there lives to act on faith) and the gift our God gave us in his Son.  As I create the warm fuzzy, tangible family memories I am glad to know that I am also creating an understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

Happy Holiday’s

Vicky