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| Original Photo by Cecilia Marie Pulliam |
These frosty, misty mornings of December fit the season, a tradition for Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. Who doesn’t love Norman Rockwell’s renderings of Christmas? Images of family harmony, joy, peace, family gatherings, ladened tables, laughter, softly falling snow?
My family represented this vision for years until my husband
passed away. His death fractured our family. We pulled away from those big,
happy gatherings. My daughter was only sixteen. I tried for her sake to
continue some of our traditions, changed slightly so they would not be reminders
of what we had lost. My success was mixed, but the overall tone was a happy
one.
After she left home, following her brothers with leaving the
nest right after high school graduation, I followed new traditions.
Now, married again, with family strung around several cities
and states, we have other traditions. We still decorate, although on a much smaller
scale, but I cannot pass the season without a nativity, lighted garlands, and a
small lighted tree, tabletop size, Christmas Carols and a fire in the
fireplace. I’ll make my raspberry rolls to enjoy with coffee Christmas morning.
Christmas Eve, instead of the boisterous family gathering at my folks’ place
followed by Midnight Mass, my husband and I will join our neighbors for prime
rib and good conversation.
The thread that runs through all of these traditions is the
season’s message of hope. Everywhere we see joy and hope. The scripture readings
are filled with hope of a peaceful, joyous world. The carols echo the same
sentiments, peace on earth, joy to the world. We watch family favorite, happy
Christmas movies.
The season is such a joyous one, even for those who do not
celebrate the spiritual aspect. It is the time of year we give ourselves
permission to be happy, and we pass that on to those around us. The salutations
of Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays when we meet friends or strangers. We
approach family gatherings with hope for peaceful, joyous interactions.
Then, in January, it seems this hope crashes back to pre-Advent
attitudes, rushed, irritated, crushed by responsibilities and world issues.
Several years ago, I vowed to keep my Christmas hope and joy
all year. For the most part, I did. Even during the dark moments, I clung to my
hope of God’s presence, compassion, and care. Psalm 27 pops up in my devotions
whenever I need the reminder that nothing is impossible with God. I only need
to hang onto my faith until the sun rises again.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? I believe to
see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Expect the Lord, do
manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait for the Lord.”
How about you? Have your Christmas traditions changed over the years, or stayed the same?
Raspberry rolls? Oh wow, that sounds delicious! Our Christmasses have become smaller, more romantic. The only traditions that haven't changed is we have lasagna instead of turkey or ham, and we open one gift on Christmas Eve in case the Grinch comes.:-)
ReplyDeleteI like that description, "smaller, more romantic". That's a great way to describe an intimate celebration with your spouse. My husband would love lasagna on Christmas Eve and prime rib on Christmas Day. I've never made lasagna. The recipe sounds daunting. Haha! Yes, beware of the Grinch!
DeleteThe raspberry rolls are made with sweet roll dough. Instead of cinnamon sugar, you spread the dough with softened butter and then spread it with a raspberry pie filling. Everyone loves them (unless you don't like raspberries) ;)