Monday, December 28, 2020

Sharon Musselman

Christmas Traditions

Just this past week, I watched my three and six year old grandchildren on facetime as they decorated Christmas cookies. They excitedly told me that they were going to deliver their cookies to neighbors and friends, after, of course, sampling a few. Last year, my 15 year old granddaughter and her friend took over my kitchen to make Christmas goodies which were wrapped with ribbons and bows and given as gifts to family and friends. This year, 2020, there will not be a joint Christmas bake for the teenage girls, but the goodies will be made and delivered just the same. These Christmas traditions can be as simple as bundling kids into the car for a ride or walk through neighborhoods to see light displays or watching a Christmas pageant on zoom (what a hoot!) instead of in church. They do not have to be extravagant or expensive to make the magic of that first Christmas come alive.

My own adult children shared some of their Christmas memories that included putting lights up outside, attending Christmas Eve service at St. John’s, and making cinnamon buns for Christmas breakfast.

All of these are simple traditions, passed on from generation to generation and this year, some have had to change in ways that seem different and strange. But they are still the threads which connect us family to family to neighbors and friends.

I’ll end by saying that I will hold tight to the traditions I treasure, but this year has taught me to be open to the new and different. Merry Christmas to you and a Happy NEW Year.