Christmas Memories

As apart of my childhood, Christmas probably has the most treasured memories. Memories I hope to experience once more with my daughter and husband. There are smells and sights that bring a smile as I recall the warmth.

My extended family on my mother's side was close. The first and second cousins would gather at my great aunt's house to make Christmas ornaments. Following a recipe of water, flour, and salt to make dough allowed sculpting that was then baked in the oven. Once complete the painting began. My mother still hangs my very first creation, a white gingerbread man with green pants, on her Christmas tree. It usually receives an honorary spot, an artifact that cannot be missed or damaged.

For years when my family lived close to my great grandmother we wondered her property searching for the perfect cedar Christmas tree. My mother was always in charge of decorating Grandmother's tree for the Christmas dinner/Grandmother's birthday party, so we searched for her as well. Cedars are no Fraser Firs therefore discovering a lustrous tree, muchness two, was not an easy task. But I loved hiking through the overgrown family farm stepping on history of a glass bottle or a long ago decade cow skull. My mom and I were dedicated explores and would not disappoint the family.

Then there was decorating the tree. One year I remember mom had just purchased Paul Simon's Graceland and Tracy Chapman on vinyl. We rocked out starting with the lights using the old strands with the threaded glass bulbs then carefully arranged each ornament in its perfect place. When all was finished Mom placed her favorite Christmas album on the turntable and sent me and my sister to bed. She turned out all the lights in the house except for the tree's and I feel to sleep to the Little Drummer Boy sung by a choir. The album has been passed to me.

When visiting my dad's parents it was tradition to drive thirty minutes to see a man's house who knew how to celebrate a festive Christmas. With about an acre of yard property and a loop driveway the place could probably be seen from space due to all the lights. We would wait our turn in line driving slowly hoping to notice a new attraction. Lights, robotics, music, glitter. All the Christmas themes were covered from Santa Claus and Rudolph to elves and presents to the nativity scene. On special occasions my Grandaddy would stop by the owner's house to visit his friend. If it is possible, the inside of the house was more gouty than the outside covered in Christmas lights and tinsel. On the drive home Grandaddy would offer to drive by other homes, but no one could compare to his friend's home.

For several years my parents were apart of a group with church that met in their homes during the week. Around Christmas someone living in a subdivision (I qualify this because the first ten years of my life I lived on a country road) would host a party. Chili was usually the meal of choice. My mother with great patience would make hot chocolate with powder cocoa. To me it took great patience because of the amount of time to prepare the chocolaty treat, but first everyone gathered outside with songbooks at hand ready to carol to surrounding neighbors. There was always looks of astonishment as the owner opened their front door to see a crowd of people singing Christmas carols in their lawn. Then, like the peace of Christmas fell upon them and the beauty of Christ turned their mouth into a smile. After two or so hours of walking in the cold the long awaited hot cocoa beckoned us home.

Probably the only tradition I have continued since my childhood is the Christmas card. My father had once been an art director for an advertising agency, which allowed access to to studios and photographers. Every year out did the previous year. Sugarplum fairies, reindeer, elves, falling Christmas trees. Well, when I was in college I started my own collection of Christmas greetings. Some were misunderstood dressed in a dark hoodie. Others were beloved reuniting the sugarplum fairies as Victoria Secret models with my sister's attendance. My husband joined the tradition as well as my daughter. Every year puzzles the question, "Can they send out another memorable card?"

My greatest Christmas memory turned into tradition was the Christmas Eve candlelight service. At the age of 14 I had declared Jesus as my savior. The following Christmas was magical. For whatever reason my family never attended a candlelight service until 1994. I grew up in the church and was very familiar with Jesus, Joseph and Mary, but as a new Believer the story suddenly had new meaning. After an evening of singing Christmas carols and reading scripture the service came to a close with lighting the candles and singing 'Silent Night.' The only lights in the church were candlelights. A room full of people full of light illuminating their faces. It was glorious. Then the pastor asked us to blow out our candles. Total darkness. The pastor announced this is the world without Jesus. Silence.

I am not sure what traditions I want to start or pursue with my daughter. A candlelight service will probably be a must. This year we worked on an advent calendar with chocolate behind each door. The birth and celebration of Jesus will definitely be told. My favorite book thus far has been reading "The Tale of Three Trees" by Hunt/Jonke. As my daughter gets older we will probably do more creative crafts. Whatever we do the most important part is we do it as a family in love adoring the greatest gift of all time- Jesus.