Guest Contributor, Gina from Keepin' it Real
I love this time of year and everything about it! The tree, decorations, parties...! If you were here in person, I'd fix you hot chocolate and make it pretty with fun Christmas marshmallows or whipped cream, Christmas sprinkles, and chocolate kisses or chocolate chips! You'd hear Christmas music blaring and smell my Christmas Yankee candle burning! I try to put a lot into making this season special for my family. We emphasize the the true meaning, of course...but we also enjoy so much of the cultural holiday "stuff!"
One day we were driving in the car when my son asked, "How come WE don't have any Christmas traditions?"
Immediately my mind started to race, "I'VE FAILED MY CHILDREN!" "WHY DON'T WE HAVE TRADITIONS?" Then I stopped, thought, and asked him, "Well, what do we do each year at Christmas time?" We started to list the things we've done:
- Watching the old Christmas movies each year.
- Christmas dinner...different each year.
- Reading from the same inspirational Christmas story books each year.
- Each year the kids choose an new ornament.
- We hang up the Christmas cards we receive, and pray for each person that sends a card.
- Instead of a Christmas wreath on my front door, I hang a stocking and fill it with candy so that whoever comes to my door can have some Christmas candy!
- Some years we bake, some years...not so much!
- We love, love, love to listen to Christmas music!
Although we do things that might be considered "traditions," each year looks a little different than the other. We are limited financially, so we do what we can with what we have been given. We refuse to go into debt at Christmas time!
One year we couldn't afford a tree, so I got out our little artificial trees and we decorated them. I was feeling bad about the fact that we didn't have a real tree, and like I needed to convince my family that everything would be "okay"...and everything would be still be "special."
I finally stopped trying to convince everyone and we all tried to get perspective! We didn't have a picture perfect Christmas tree, but we had what we could afford, did the best we could with what we had, and attempted to focus on being grateful...and on the true meaning of Christmas!
My children will probably have families of their own one day. What will I have taught them? Will they come away from my home remembering how mom fell apart because her tree wasn't perfect? Will they remember me as someone who "made do" and made things special using what she had, or a mom who spent money needlessly? Will they remember a mom whose focus was honoring JESUS all year around, or one who just talked about Him during the Christmas season?
I love to buy my children gifts and make Christmas as Christ centered and fun, as possible. I love to read about and hear what others do, and then implement their ideas into our Christmas. But as I get older, and as my kids get older, the thing that is standing out to me the most is that I want my children to remember a home that was peaceful and Christ filled...all year. A mom who loved, respected and honored dad. A mom who loved and served her family. Who sought forgiveness and admitted where she was wrong. Who was committed to God and her calling.
I desire to be a mom
who lived out the most important gift:
THE GOSPEL!
These are the gifts that will stay with my children
long after the decorations come down.
Gifts that won't break, go out of style,
or get worn out.
And will stay with them long after I am gone!
I am not above that...BUT I DON'T WANT THAT!!!
My prayer is that we would remember the Christ of Christmas all year, every day , every second, in every decision, in every word, in every thought... Oh, come let us adore Him! Oh, come let us adore Him! Oh, come let us adore Him! Christ the Lord!
Keepin' it Real,
Gina
Gina has been married to Brian for 23 years. Brian is a faculty member, and they both serve as deans at a Christian college. She and her family live on the college campus and work with the resident students. She has two children, Brianna (age 21) and Caleb (age 18) who are now both in college. In her spare time Gina writes and seeks to encourage women of all ages, through articles and by living life with them as much as possible! You can find her at her personal blog: "Keepin' it Real,"at "The Internet Cafe," and featured in several issues of "Best of Life" magazine.
Contact Gina through her website: Keepin' it Real
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