Family Christmas Traditions

Every family is different and has their own unique way of celebrating the Christmas season. We were not allowed to open any presents prior to Christmas Day and we had to wait until after breakfast had been eaten. Christmas morning was one of those sacred mornings when we weren't allowed to wake anyone up so as to rush anything. And when we lived in Fresno, California, we went down Christmas Tree Lane and Huntington Boulevard at least once.

Christmas Tree Lane is a magical place. The lights twinkle, the music plays, and you get transported for a moment to a land of fairies and sugar plums. Innocence exists there and no matter what your age, you are a kid oohing and aahing at the beautiful decorations and lights. I remember sitting in the backseat of our family car, the windows rolled down, listening to the special Christmas radio station, while Mom and Dad sat in the front seat singing along and pointing out the lights to their awed children. We would lean over each other, putting our heads out the windows, trying to get as close to the magic as possible. Usually someone would fall asleep and miss something. It was a special treat every year.

We didn't have a lot of money and our Christmases were never spectacular things but we all knew that we were loved and that this was a special time of year. We would watch "A Christmas Carol" starring George C. Scott, which, in my opinion, is the best portrayal of Scrooge ever. "It's A Wonderful Life" would also be screened, as well as "White Christmas." My dad would read us the story of the birth of Christ out of the New Testament and we would discuss how important that event was to everyone. Then we would sing the sacred hymns together as a family. My Dad's favorites were "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "With Wondering Awe."

Our family has become scattered and we haven't been in the same place for Christmas in 5 years. But life goes on and we develop our own traditions. I'm usually busy with work but since the work I do feels more like service to others than work, it helps me remember what Christmas really is all about. We celebrate the birth of a child who became the Savior of mankind, the servant of all. May we strive to live our lives to be more like Him and serve those whom He would have gladly stopped to aid. As a friend recently told me, "Go about doing good, like the Savior did." I'm beginning to realize that this is the secret to happiness and peace.