Christmas Traditions

What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase, Christmas traditions? Family gathered together? The giving and receiving of presents? Delicious food prepared and enjoyed? Decorating a tree? Attending Christmas church services? Reading the Christmas story?

I have fond memories of a family Christmas tradition that took place for many years throughout my childhood, youth, and young adult years. My family would go to my maternal grandparents’ home every Christmas night. My mom’s sister and her family, my mom’s brother and his family, along with friends who we claimed as family would be there. Because we were all stuffed from festive foods and desserts from the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday gatherings, we kept the menu simple to pick up foods. It was a laid-back setting where everyone was mingling, talking, eating, and sharing Christmas stories until we transitioned to my favorite part of the night – gathering in the living room around the piano.

We would all sing fun, festive Christmas songs at first and then transition to beloved Christmas songs and Christmas Carols. I remember always singing and leading our family with 2 of my favorite songs – “Silent Night” and “Oh Holy Night.” The time of music would then always end with my grandfather and I singing a unique version to us of  “Jesus Loves Me.” This was Christmas to me, and Christmas was not complete until these things took place. 

Traditions are a way to remember the meaning of Christmas. We are a forgetful people. We can get so distracted with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, that we can forget the “why” and the “who” we celebrate – Jesus. Traditions can serve as an opportunity to stop, think, remember, and point us back to Jesus – God’s greatest gift to the world. Luke 2:11 states, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Christmas traditions remind us of our identity in Christ. “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” I John 4:9 Jesus Christ was born to die…for us, so we can truly live, follow Him, and have abundant and eternal life. This is the Gospel. And, the Gospel changes everything.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This verse does not tell us to renew our hearts but to renew our minds. We need to do this because we often forget who we are. Once our mind is transformed, Paul tells us we will be able to test approve what God’s will is. And by doing this, we will experience “life through Him” (I John 4:9).

My childhood Christmas tradition of music at my grandparents’ home always helped me remember the meaning of Christmas – Christ coming to earth for the world. It reminded me of my identity in Christ as His child. It helped me “renew” my mind.

Traditions are a way to bring our focus back to the real celebration of Christmas—that God Himself came to earth to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus. We hope that Christmas traditions ring true for you and your family for years to come.

What traditions do you have to point to Jesus during Christmas?