Glory to the newborn King.
In the drop-off line at school last week I was listening intently to
the radio. My ears perked up as I heard Linus reply when asked
by Charlie Brown himself, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what
Christmas is all about?” “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what
Christmas is all about.”
I pictured Linus in my mind walking outonto a great big empty stage with only his blanket.
He asks for thelights please so as to center the attention on what he is about to say, then he starts out quoting Luke 2: 8-14. The story of the birth of Jesus. It was revealed to me for the first time on the radio that
morning that Linus drops his blanket when he says “Fear Not”!
How cool that Charles Schultz wanted to show just how strong
faith can be, by portraying his cartoon characters so simply acting
out their confidence in the true meaning of Christmas. So unique
a moment that it is the only time Linus ever drops his blanket. The
classic message was on the radio that morning because a
popular Christian band used the audio from Charlie Brown in one
of their holiday songs.
It made me reflect on my fond memories as a child watching Charlie Brown Christmas and attending holiday events and parties with loved ones. It made me realize the necessity for traditions in today’s culture.
We live in an age of instant gratification, the simplicities of Charlie
Brown hardly cross our children’s minds. Yet the need for having
family traditions is still the same as it was 50 years ago. Traditions
will be remembered, gifts and instant messages will not.
I sat in on a MOPS meeting once that offered up several ideas on how to build traditions in your family. I took one idea and built on it over
the years. It stuck and 12 years later I’m still doing the 12 Days of
Christmas for my family.
My kids still love it!
For the 12 days leading up to Christmas we have a special card
that is opened each day. You can make quick post it note style
cards or you can spend time decorating them to your liking. I
decorate them with numbers from 1-12 on fancy card stock and
string them from a ribbon or stick them in the Christmas tree.
The concept for the cards is simple; do something as a family
each day that is special. Something holiday related that you might
not always make time to do. I change it up each season, but there
are always a few that seem to make their way into the rotation
every year.
These are the 12 we are doing this year. They need to be
mixed up according to the days of the week and what we have
going on for school and work. So some cards must fall on a
weekend. While others can be done any day of the week.
Day 1: Write a note to a special person in your life. Once the note
is complete we will go to Target and spend up to $10 on an item
to give that person with their card. Then we will deliver them or
mail them.
Day 2: Begin our holiday baking. Almond Bark pretzels will be the
task at hand.
Day 3: Attend a holiday concert at a church or school. Get
dressed up and stop for a cup of hot chocolate before we see the
show.
Day 4: Decorate holiday ornaments. We make glass balls every
year. Often we just fill them with different colors of paint and
shake them up for beautiful looking ornaments than can be gifted
or hung on your tree.
Day 5: Watch Charlie Brown Thanksgiving as a family while
enjoying some famous “Jackson” caramel popcorn.
Day 6: Take Christmas goodies to the neighbors.
Day 7: Throw all of our names in a hat. Everyone chooses a
name and we go on a shopping excursion for the person we drew.
The dollar limit is set and we all shop for each other.
Day 8: Take an hour to sit down and read all the children’s
Christmas books we have from over the years. It doesn’t matter
how old my kids are they still love Snow Bears!
Day 9: Sing Christmas carols in the car as we drive around
looking at lights.
Day 10: Make a holiday scrapbook page from the previous year’s
Christmas pictures.
Day 11: Go out to eat at a nice restaurant and talk about what we
hope to accomplish next year.
Day 12: Pick a present from under the tree and open it!
Choose one or choose all. In our hearts, minds and hands, may the meaning of Christmas remain centered on Christlike love, compassion and service.
Merry Christmas!