Christmas Traditions

I grew up with no Christmas traditions, mainly because my parents are from Hong Kong and grew up with no Christmas at all. We had a few decorations, and we finally inherited a fake tree when I was in high school, but all in all, Christmas was a quiet, uneventful day in my home.

Then there's the Bairds. Their traditions began with the chopping of the tree the morning after Thanksgiving and didn't end until every last present was opened. Their house was full of activity and song, lights and candles, angels and snowmen. On Christmas eve, they dressed up in bathrobes to reenact the Biblical story, and on Christmas day, they ate cinnamon rolls for breakfast. And that was what one could expect at their house, every year.

When I had kids, I had to think about starting my own Christmas traditions. Because I had longed for them myself when growing up, I knew how important they were. Traditions, though they should not take the place of the actual significance of the holiday itself, give children a sense of expectation and unity. Some families make a birthday cake for Jesus or open a "present" with Bible verses in it to remember the true meaning of the day. Others drive around and admire lights, take a photo with Santa, or volunteer at a soup kitchen. I have heard of a fun tradition involving the wise men from a nativity set. Once Mary, Joseph, and the baby are set up, the wise men move throughout the house to find their way to the manger. Every day they change to a new location, and the children go on a hunt through out the house to find them. On the day of Epiphany, the wise men will finally arrive at the manger. So far, I have adopted only three traditions for my own family, two of which are advent in nature.

The first is that we join my in-laws and drive into the mountains to the Tabacco Ranch Tree Farm to chop a tree. Every child helps saw down the tree, and we eat lunch in the midst of the fog, sun, and fresh air. The view from atop the mountains this year was exceptional. When the fog cleared, we saw the Pacific Ocean glistening on the horizon.

Our nativity and wrapped books

The second involves finding Christmas picture books, twenty-four of them. Some I own, and some come from the library. The books are wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree, and every night, starting on December 1st, a child chooses a book to unwrap and read together. What makes this fun is the surprise of unwrapping the book, the pleasure of reading a book that is a known favorite, discovering new favorites along the way,  and, for mom and dad, not having to listen to the kids ask, "Can we open a present early? Just a peek?" My method is to wrap only a few books at a time (library books always go first), then reuse the old paper to wrap a new book for the following night. (For a list of our favorite Christmas stories, go to my more recent post: Our Favorite Christmas Stories.)

Twenty-four days of socks!

The third tradition involves a little more work. On a long string, I hang twenty-four Christmas-y socks (twelve pairs). In them, I put scripture passages that narrate the Christmas story, along with an ornament to match the verse. Because I have only twelve ornaments, I alternate the verses with Christmas carols that relate to the verse of the previous day (which makes 24 days in all!). I also put in little treats or gifts. Every morning, starting on December 1st, we will take down a sock, read the verses inside, and hang up the ornament, or sing a Christmas carol and enjoy a treat. There are many variations of this stocking idea that you can do. A friend of mine found verses that described a name of Jesus (the Word, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life...) which then became a clue to where a treat is hidden in the house. For example, if the clue was 'Light of the World', the prize was by a light switch or a lamp. At the end of this entry I have listed verses that you can use, if you choose to try this idea this year. You can also simply read the verses together, or come up with a new activity altogether!

Along with these traditions, my family makes presents, cookies, cards (stamps and collage), and wrapping paper (potato stamping, or try a new vegetable like boy choy! My husband stamped with the bottom third of a baby bok choy and made wrapping paper covered with beautiful roses!) One year, we twisted two different colored pipe cleaners together to make mini candy canes to hang on the tree, and cut out snowflakes from paper to tape to our windows. We try to use what we have, minimizing on cost and maximizing on creativity, with the intention to teach the children that Christmas is not about being flashy, and that a true gift does not need to be big, expensive, or perfect.

But whether you use a store-bought advent calendar, go caroling around your neighborhood, or simply buy a tree off a lot and decorate it together, Christmas traditions are about being together and remembering what the holiday is really about. If you have some fun traditions, feel free to share them with me!

The Names of Jesus-

John 1:1-2~ the Word

John 6:35~ the Bread of Life

John 10:7-10~ the Gate

John 10:14-16~ the Good Shepherd

John 1:29~ the Lamb of God

John 11:25-26~ the Life

John 15:1-8~ the Vine

John 8:12~ the Light of the World

Christmas Story Passages with Corresponding Ornaments and Carols-

(remember that these are only a suggestion, change them to suit your needs or preferences)

Day 1-2) Luke 1:26-38~ Mary, O Come O Come Emmanuel

Day 3-4) Matt 1:18-25~ Joseph, Silent Night

Day 5-6) Luke 2:1-6~ donkey, O Little Town of Bethlehem

Day 7-8) Luke 2:7~ Jesus, Away in the Manger

Day 9-10) Luke 2:8-9~ shepherds, The First Noel

Day 11-12) Luke 2:10-14~ angels, Angels We Have Heard on High

Day 13-14) Luke 2:15-20~ sheep, Go Tell it on the Mountain

Day 15-16) Matt 2:1-6~ Magi, We Three Kings

Day 17-18) Matt 2:7-10~ Magi, O Come All Ye Faithful

Day 19-20) Matt 2:11-12~ Magi, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Day 21-22) Matt 2:13-23~ camel, What Child is This

Day 23-24) John 3:16~ world, Joy to the World

Blessings in the Mundane

A year ago, I thought I had nothing to write about. My day-to-day life was... well... mundane. Laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, driving... there was nothing special there.

But see what God can do in a year! He has revealed to me how even the mundane can be special. There is joy in all that God has given us.

Which leads me to say... I love folding laundry! Or, excuse me, I REALLY ENJOY folding laundry. (see an earlier post, Love, for an explanation)

I know that admitting this will cause some of you to label me as 'mentally unsound', but hear me out! Let me show you how the chore of folding laundry can become a joyous task. 

First, my husband's boxers. Pardon my frankness, but the day I no longer have to fold my husband's boxers will be a sad one for me. I think back to my life ten years ago, and how things were so different. Before marriage, I never folded boxer shorts!

Then I hold up a shirt that I think is my husband's, before realizing that it belongs to my son! How much he has grown-- he is halfway to sixteen! Contrasting, I fold several of the baby's clothes, and marvel at how my firstborn has gone from a tiny 7-pound baby to a grown boy.

And that is how I fold laundry. I don't stop at every piece of clothing (because then I would never be done!) but a pair of pants or a shirt may remind me of a funny moment in the day with my two-year-old, or a favorite dress of my daughter reminds me of her spunky personality. By the time I am done, there are six piles of clothes around me, reminding me of the six biggest blessings in my life.

And so, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the mundane.

I am thankful for the moments in the minivan full of kids when we can talk, sing, and laugh-- even in traffic.

I am thankful that I have a minivan that is working and reliable.

I am thankful, oh so thankful, that I don't have to wash clothes by hand.

I am thankful for the floors in the house that I can vacuum and sweep.

I am thankful for a refrigerator and pantry full of food.

I am thankful for the one-on-one time on the changing table that ends in a giggle and a hug.

And of course, I am thankful for the bigger things: a loving and faithful husband, five healthy happy children, my own health, a caring church community, and my God and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Wherever you may be, and whatever your situation, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving!

An Extra Dose of Kindness

Oh, 'tis the season!

We've been cooped up in the house for a week. The older girls had a cold, followed by my son waking up in the middle of the night with flu-like symptoms, and as soon as he was done with that, both boys caught the cold from the girls!

Things in our house haven't felt the same- a little more edginess, a few more thorns. So far, I remain healthy, though my husband now has the cold. Tired and worn bodies equal tired and worn spirits, and we have done all we could to keep grumpy children from turning every situation into a fight or temper tantrum. I have to say that, all in all, my husband and I have been successful, by putting on our silly personas at times, tag-teaming when needed, and being even more intentional with our attitudes and words. And we have found that the best medicine, for everyone, was an extra dose of kindness. When our patience was near its end, we dug deep for more patience and helped ease a child through a moment of frustration and crankiness. And when we felt too tired to be polite to each other, we still found the energy to say, "Please" and "Thank you."

That's what happened to me two nights ago. After having just drifted off to sleep, my husband woke me and said, "The baby pooped. Should I change her?" Still half-asleep, I mumbled something, which my husband interpreted as, "Yes, she needs to be changed." What I really wanted was to be left alone to sleep. Anyway, my husband changed the baby, which woke her completely, which meant that she realized she was hungry, which of course meant that I couldn't continue sleeping. So I got up, brought the baby to the bed, and noticed that my husband didn't know how to re-swaddle her. Everything in me wanted to fume and grumble. But good for me, I sat and nursed the baby without a word. Finally, I reached over to pat my husband's hand and said, "Thank you for changing the baby."

When I'm tired, it is all too easy to snap at the person closest to me. But my husband and children don't deserve that, and my being tired is certainly no excuse! Sickness, on top of weariness, generates a mean spirit in our home, but I try to tear that down, instead of building on it. Though the weather outside is cold and dreary, I want to brighten up the weather inside!

I hope everyone in your household is well. And if you are a parent running on minimal sleep, changing the sheets after a child threw up at 2am, or fighting the symptoms yourself, I pray extra patience and strength for you!

Good Tidings

 I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10

Last year, my husband and I started what some would call an art ministry at our church. Our goal was to encourage the visual artists (graphic designers, sculptors, painters, quilters...) to think about using their gift to serve the Body. Our first project was Christmas-themed art to decorate the walls of the sanctuary. This is our second year of doing this. I'm excited to see what our artists contribute!

My piece is watercolor and collage (and a bit of my daughter's glitter glue). 

Wall of Wisdom

It's my birthday today!

And as always, on my birthday, I can't help but reflect on past birthdays. For my seventh birthday, I received the entire set of the Little House books. I was ecstatic! My twenty-second birthday was spent in the frigid gym of the high school, trying to survive parent-teacher conferences after only three days on the job. (I could hardly remember the names of my students! Definitely embarrassing when a parent is talking to you about his or her child and you have no idea whom he or she is talking about!)

Three years ago, my husband was laid off on my birthday.

Two years ago, we were living with my in-laws, and we also celebrated the addition of our second son.

And last year, I was able to host a potluck in our new home. My guest list that night was very intentional, ranging from single female friends in their twenties to friends with young children to empty-nesters in their fifties and sixties. I had heard once that every person should have in his or her life 'people who walk before you, people who walk with you, and people who walk behind you.' Those were the people with whom I wanted to celebrate that night. Since then, several have moved away, but they are all still very dear to my heart.

Do you have people like that in your life? Growing up, I didn't have friends to whom I could confide, and I didn't have any mentors, though I certainly could have used one! I drifted blindly through high school and college, trying to live a Godly life without really knowing what that meant. Only in recent years have I made a great effort to surround myself with my 'wall of wisdom', people whom I can bounce things off of. They are people of Godly wisdom and great life experience, people with a spirit of integrity and humbleness. I can trust these people to guide me in the direction God would want me to go and teach me how to live for His glory. And then, in turn, I can be a 'wall of wisdom' to those younger than me.

I'm glad to say that today, on my birthday, I am in a better place because of those people in my life. What a journey it has been, the past thirty-three years!

Links to Check Out

I don't wish to be self-promoting, but I'd like to provide links to some of my published works, not just so you can read my writing, but also find new sources of insight and Biblical wisdom from other writers. Both the Kyria and MOPS website have articles that you can access and are especially pertinent to Christian women. Enjoy!

What's in a Name?

Once Upon a Time...

I Was Made to Worship (originally titled 'To Become Like Little Children')

A Recent Dialogue

Me: God, why do I have to deal with this?! I hate having to worry about where our income comes from!

God: Rita, do you think I wouldn't give you the little things you need? Did you forget that I gave My life for you? I love you! So stop worrying!