A Time for Traditions

The holidays have arrived for another year, and they remind us that is a time to reflect and embrace traditions. There are many traditions that most people know and love - the decorating of the christmas tree, the putting of the angel/star/santa on top of the tree, the lighting of the menorah, driving around town to look at lights, baking cookies, stuffing our bellies to overflowing...

Generally we think of traditions as good, heartfelt things. My favorite when I was little was fighting over who Dad was going to lift up to put the angel on top of the tree. My grandma also made these awesome cookies around Christmas that I looked forward to every year. Now my aunt makes them, and though it's not quite the same, it's still tradition. We go to church every Christmas Eve, even last year, because it did not feel like Christmas until we were there. Our own church services were canceled due to weather, so we attended another church's service and found Christmas.

But there are also traditions that we may not see as traditions - stampeding on Black Friday, the grisly fight for the hot toy of the year, the last minute ride to Wal-Mart to get that gift we forgot, and forgetting the whole meaning of the season as we rush to have parties, decorate, go to parades, attend church activities, school programs and sports and who knows what else. This Christmas season for some reason, I'm noticing more of these "traditions" that we'd rather forget. Maybe it's because my daughter is getting older, or because we do have activities three nights a week and no free weekends until after Christmas.

I'm not sure, but this year I have yet to really find the joy I usually have. My house has not been decorated yet (usually it would have been done around Thanksgiving). My tree just went up tonight and still has no ornaments on it. Yes, I have really noticed that my family has just become to busy for Christmas. I'm writing this in hopes that maybe I can find the time and remind all of you to find time for your family, then your friends this season. Because no matter what tradition - Christmas, Hannakuh etc. you believe in - they all center around family and friends, and doing good for others.

I think my grinch heart has expanded a little and Christmas is starting to soak in. And yes, now I can hear Silent Night in the background and not want to say "I'm not ready". So readers, even if you're kids are making you want to scream and hide in the computer room like I'm doing right now, take those few deep breaths, remember the traditions you always loved and maybe even start some of your own that you'd want your kids to hand down. Just don't get to busy for the holidays!