Starting Traditions for Advent

With Christmas right around the corner, and my son on his way to turning three in March, I find myself reflecting on Christmas traditions that I enjoyed as a child. I remember waking up Christmas morning, so eager to see what was under the tree. My parents watched us open our stocking gifts as they sipped on coffee. Gathered around the Christmas tree, My brother or I would be Santa, and the other his elf, passing out the presents. Every gift was opened in its own time, and each one was special. There was magic and a true spirit of Christmas. As you get older, you miss out on the love and giving aspect of Christmas. Christ gave his life for us, without expectations.

Yet instead of the gift of ourselves or our time, we find ourselves at the mercy of commercialism. In this economy, money for gifts is hard to come by. Expectations are high, and the price tag seems more important than the thought. Sometimes I wish gifts were not expected, but a pleasant surprise. We are so lucky and blessed with what we already own. The idea of getting more “stuff” is sometimes a weight I wish didn't exist.

In recent years, I have prided myself in not shopping on Black Friday. I would rather stay snuggled in at home with my family and enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers. Looking forward to the season of Advent, with all the liturgical changes, I find myself at peace. The more priority I give my own family, the greater my love seems to grow. That love is what Christmas should be focused on.

The beginning of Advent is almost upon us, and preparing ourselves for the Lord's coming is of the utmost importance. Advent seems to slip under us, as the commercialized Christmas is thrown in our faces. I am working on keeping the true meaning of Christmas alive in our family, and I hope you are too. Do you have any traditions that bring out the true Christmas in your own homes?