Christmas Traditions
Blogmas Day 22
I’m a big traditions person. I know a lot of people would say they are, too, but there’s something about traditions that really stay close to my heart.
Growing up I was never a huge fan of change. For example, my parents will tell you that one day they decided to switch their old kitchen table for a new one and I cried because that old table was ours and I had so many memories at it (I was very little, mind you. Stop judging.)
At the start of each new phase or chapter of life, I have historically had a hard time preparing for the unexpected. Call it Type A but I do not like it when I can’t prepare accordingly. Like the night before my first day of college. I was super nervous; I 100% believed I’d fail out and never find any of my classes. High school was my comfort zone and going to a big state school seemed intimidating and daunting. But then the first day came and went, and the next, and the next, and I realized I absolutely loved college and quickly felt at home and at peace.
Learning to deal with change has been something I’ve struggled with all my life.
When you know this, it makes sense why I love traditions so much. It’s a constant, something you can prepare for, year after year. Something that doesn’t change even if everything else does. So this year especially, I want to embrace the traditions and keep them alive. Traditions, in a sense, have become my comfort zone. The tradition has become keeping up with all the traditions!
Of course, a lot of the traditions I cherish are not happening this year. The tradition of the church Christmas Tea, our tradition of hosting Christmas parties, the tradition of gathering with loved ones on Christmas Eve. It’s a lot of change to adjust to for someone who has a hard time dealing with change.
So this year, traditions that continue mean even more to me. The tradition of watching A Christmas Story on Christmas Eve and all throughout Christmas Day as it plays over and over again on TBS. The tradition of sitting on the steps with my siblings on Christmas morning waiting to be “let in” to see the gifts. The tradition of Dad reading Luke 2 to us before we open gifts. The tradition of eating egg casserole and banana bread during Christmas Day brunch. The tradition of opening gifts and waiting until the very end to open “the big gift.”
These memories are just a few that are etched on my heart from Christmases past. And as Luke and I talk about our own future kids, we know there are traditions we want to pass down and create for our family too.
As Christmas 2020 approaches, I know that not all traditions will be kept. I know some will be broken and that’s okay. Change is necessary even though it can be uncomfortable. I’m still learning this.
I read a quote the other day that spoke to me. “Change does not change tradition. It strengthens it. Change is a challenge and an opportunity, not a threat.”
So as Christmas week continues and we inch closer and closer to December 25, I’m thankful for the traditions. I’m thankful for the memories of Christmases past and the traditions we’ve established. As traditions change and break, I will continue to try and embrace the changes as they come. I will aim to be intentional and fully savor the traditions that stay. For although this Christmas is unlike others, if there’s anything 2020 has taught me, it is that “things” don’t matter. It’s the memories and the people you surround yourself with that do.
