I love the whole Christmas season. I love hosting our annual office party and the kids annual Christmas Tea Party. I love all of the baking and secret present planning. I love taking a moment to sip my Christmas Tea blend. I even love the decorating…the one time a year I feel comfortable with decorating!

But my most favorite times are putting up our Christmas tree and Christmas Eve. Putting up the tree is special because each year we get the children a new ornament. They each have their own Christmas box that they keep their ornaments in. This is a tradition that my parents started with me when I was a little girl. Each year a new ornament is bought and dated. It brings back so many memories to pour through these ornaments.

This year was special because Gianna, John, and Zach were able to join in on the tradition as they are the newest members of our family. I always have fun picking out the ornaments and trying to find something that fits with each of my children’s personalities. Sometimes they look at me strange when they see their ornament because they don’t always understand “mom’s thinking” on the matter. But that is ok.

Christmas Eve is fun because of the children’s anticipation for the next day. But more importantly it is our time when we focus on the true meaning of Christmas. We start with reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Our new reader of the year gets the honor of reading this story. It is a really big deal and always ends with a huge smile from the new reader.

Then I read my second favorite Christmas story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I know that is a strange one to think about reading on on Christmas Eve, but it has always been one of my favorites. There is such a beautiful meaning behind the entire story. Christmas doesn’t come from a store! Christmas means so much more! I love being very dramatic when I read this story. I think that is the part that makes it so much fun!

Finally, we close with the most important story of the Christmas season…the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior. We spend time in the Word and time in prayer. It is the most beautiful part of the evening…remembering the “why” of the season. But it is also important that we remember to not keep Jesus in the manager. I think so many people do that during this time of year. He was born to die only to be resurrected as our risen Savior!! AMEN!

It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Sometimes we can get so caught up in all of that that we forget to breathe and be still before our Lord. I value my time with family and friends during this time of year. I value our traditions that we have kept going in our family and continue to reintroduce as our family continues to grow. I love the whole reason that we celebrate this season.

I pray that as you are taking in all of your Christmas festivities that you remember the why behind all of it. The gift giving is fun. My husband and I love surprising our children. We love the whole spirit of giving. But we also keep in perspective why we celebrate. Our children understand very well the season. As they continue to grow and mature in their walks with the Lord, their perspective of Christmas grows with them. I love watching them as they grow deeper in their understanding, just as God continues to allow me to grow deeper in my own understanding.

May the Lord bless you and yours as God reveals Himself to you during this Christmas season.

Here are some pictures of our family and decorations and traditions! Hope you enjoy!

Russell puts all the lights on the tree. Then we have a big countdown for the official lighting. Then we add the new ornaments one at a time.

The official lighting of the year!

Anthony

Daniel

Gianna

Samuel (he does not smile well on command!)

Hannah (she has been collecting Precious Moment ornaments since she was born)

Mikal

Summer (Summer’s photo is MIA)

Austin

Jeremiah

Hailey

Joel

Aubrey

Emma

John

Zach…he fell asleep before it was his turn!

Me

Russell

The following pictures are a mixture of our season of fun traditions. Everything from going to Tanglewood to see the lights, to the fun food we’ve been making, to Christmas party games, to dressing up, church children’s show and friends!