Written by Irene Dickson, from the Village Church.
I decided to go minimalist with the decorations last Christmas, eliminating the garland on the mantle as the lights no longer worked, and purchasing a slim tree that would tidily fit into a corner of our small home. As I began to haul out the boxes full of Christmas cheer, our elder son commented on how much he loved the garland on the mantle. Our daughter said she hoped I wasn’t putting up the slim Christmas tree. Our younger son was happy to know the house would be all ‘Christmassy’ when he arrived the week before the festivities, and he wouldn’t have to do a thing to help! So, once again, the old garland and wide tree were duly set up, us spending considerable time wrapping new lights around both, fluffing up the branches, and moving furniture around to accommodate the larger tree, as requested. The traditions we established when our children were small continue today, and although they’re grown and live their own lives, when they’re home at their parents’ house for Christmas, they all want the same traditions they have always had. Often we, as parents, overlook what’s important to our adult ‘kids’ and it’s always good to get confirmation that they want Christmas how it’s always been -Church on Christmas Eve; an apple, orange and chocolate money in their stocking; a British candy ‘selection box’; and of course the old garland on the mantle and big Christmas tree squeezed into a spot in the living room. Our hope is they’ll continue these traditions with their own families when they celebrate the birth of Jesus.
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