I’ve found myself thinking about my childhood Christmas memories lately.
{CHRISTMAS PAST}
My parents had 6 children and the salary of a small country church pastor. I still don’t know how they pulled off the pile of presents that awaited us every Christmas morning. The moment all 6 of us tumbled down the stairs and took in that glorious sight is etched in my mind like a Norman Rockwell painting.
What I find interesting is that I’m having a hard time remembering what was actually in those presents.
I do know that it wasn’t this:
Or one of these:
They simply weren’t in the budget. {Do you like how I just dated myself?}
It’s not for lack of gratitude that I don’t remember. I think it’s because the things of Christmas were overshadowed by the moments of Christmas.
Christmas was so much more about time spent than money spent.
This is what I remember:
Our annual reading of this treasure by Madeleine L’Engle.
Griffin and I are reading it now.
The trek to find the ‘perfect’ Christmas tree each year.
And let me tell you, we did things the old fashioned way.
No Walmart trees for us. Thankyouverymuch.
Now it’s me with my boys making that trek.
{Although we did buy ours from a parking lot this year. Please don’t tell Dad.}
I remember the story of Christmas being re-told year after year.
I still get a lump in my throat when I think about that little baby and what His birth means.
Please don’t look too closely at our nativity scene. Our shepherds are MIA. It appears they got lost in our move. Perhaps a star will lead them home?
{CHRISTMAS PRESENT}
I knew that this was the year to begin some traditions of our own. My oldest is four now and really gets it this year.
So I bought a copy of Christmas Around the World. I wanted to find some simple and meaningful traditions and decided that this would be a fun way to introduce Griffin to life outside these United States.
And boy, has it been fun.
Did you know that in Germany, children fill their shoes with straw and carrots and leave them outside their front door? It is hoped that when St. Nicholas passes by, he will feed his hungry horses and refill their shoes with apples and nuts.
Apparently St. Nicholas was out of nuts this year.
But he did happen to have a fresh supply of lifesavers and lollipops.
And I had no idea what the origin of Boxing Day was in Great Britain. {Griffin thought perhaps it had to do with fighting?} Originally, church alms boxes, filled with donations for the poor, were opened and the money was distributed.
So Griffin and I wrapped up some toys that I got on a great sale {imagine that!} and we plan to take them to a homeless shelter later this week.
I was one proud Mama when he didn’t complain once that the toys weren’t for him.
In Great Britain, they also place crackers {crepe-paper-covered tube with small trinkets inside} by each plate at Christmas dinner.
We made one for Daddy and one for Lincoln.
Don’t tell my two year old that his is a toy car that he already owns.
And in Australia, gifts are sometimes tucked into the pillowcases on children’s beds. We just happen to use pillowcases to wrap presents in our house, so this was an easy one. {Although every time I try to sneak into Griffin’s room to place it on his bed, he catches me!}
The plaque is from my world-traveling days. {Sigh.}
Here are several other ideas if hosting a “Christmas Around the World” week at your house sounds like fun:
Australia: Many Australians have also made Carols by Candlelight part of their tradition. How about a family sing-along by candlelight?
Italy: Some families have a tradition of gathering before the manger scene each evening during the nine days before Christmas–the time it is said to have taken Mary and Joseph to make the journey to Bethlehem.
Sweden: A special rice porridge is served at Christmas Eve dinner. Hidden in the porridge is a single almond. Tradition has it that whoever finds the almond in his or her bowl will marry in the coming year.
Mexico: On Epiphany Eve (Jan. 5), children leave their shoes in a window of their homes in hopes that the Magi will fill them with gifts on their journey to Bethlehem.
The Philippines: Traveling minstrels use musical instruments made from coconut shells, split bamboo, and tin-can ends to sing Maligayang Pasko to the tune of “Happy Birthday”. {This one I want to see!}
{CHRISTMAS FUTURE}
We talk a lot about saving money around these parts. But if there is one thing that you can spend freely–it’s TIME.
I am inspired by the thought that my boys will remember Christmas as being so much more about time spent and not money spent.
Is there really any other way to celebrate a Beautiful Christmas?
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