Our Christmas Traditions

Now that Thanksgiving is past, it is time to get ready for Christmas!

Part of the magic of Christmas is having family traditions. You might "inherit" traditions from your own parents, or, if you're like me, you might start your own because you didn't have any growing up. Either way, having something that you do together only once a year binds your family together, builds memories, and can also be a teaching moment!

Twenty-four days of socks!

One tradition we have done for the past six years is our advent socks. 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. I also put in little treats or gifts. Every morning, starting on December 1st, we 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. 

Our second tradition involves wrapping Christmas picture books, twenty-four of them. Some I own, and some come from the library. I start by wrapping four to six books and placing them 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.)

This year, I'm thinking of adding a new tradition. I read about the Kindness Elves (an alternative to the new 'Elf on the Shelf' craze) and thought it was a wonderful way to teach selflessness during the holiday season! Simply hide an elf in the house, along with a note suggesting things "Let's make cookies for our neighbors" or "Help your sister with a task today." Everyday, the elf can give a new suggestion! (Click on the link above for more wonderful ideas.) I don't know if I can juggle this this year with the new baby (besides the fact that I don't have an elf), but maybe if I prepare earlier, I can do this next year.

So those our family's Christmas traditions. What are yours? Please 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Days 23-24) John 3:16~ world or dove, Joy to the World