I have heard some beautiful Christmas traditions that different friends and family practice that I would like to share with you.  One is that they do not decorate their tree until Christmas Eve.  I believe this is how it was done years ago but commercialism has pushed it to almost Halloween.  We seem to be rushing Christmas.  Their reason for doing this is that putting up decorations and lights is a celebration of Christmas and Christmas is Christ's birth and this doesn't happen until December 25.   This makes perfect sense to me.  We may have to reconsider how we begin celebrating next year.  Another friend saves one gift for each person to open on Jan 6th.  Do you know the significance of this day?  That is the epiphany.  The day we celebrate when the three kings came and gave gifts to the Christ child.   It also helps to extend the Christmas season.  This is the end of the 12 days of Christmas.  It seems to me for most people Christmas is over on Dec 26th.  It is only just beginning!  When Christ was born do you think every one (who knew who He was) celebrated for that one day and then it was over.  I think not.  I think back to remember if our family had any traditions growing up.  My first thought was how I (being the oldest child) would line everyone up from youngest to oldest and we would march down the stairs to the living room.  For any one who doesn't know my family, there are eight of us so it was quite a production.  My siblings used to get so upset with me for doing this but I wanted the littlest to go in first.  I hope we can now all look back at this charade and at least smile!  But what I think I remember most is how one of the first things everyone did was find their gifts they bought and give them out.  This was more important than seeing what you got yourself.  Giving is a big part of my family, and not just at Christmas time.  Speaking of giving, another tradition I know someone is starting this year is visiting a nursing home on Christmas day.  Giving our time, especially on this day which is busy with family, is a true gift.  There are those out there that do not have family of the comforts of home that we all have that would treasure the time spent with someone that just came in to sit with them.  A nursing home, a shelter, a hospital, a jail, a soup kitchen, any place that you feel Christ needs to visit on that day.  Bring Him to someone who truly needs Him.

Well thats my thoughts (or at least some of them) for this Holy time of the year.  If you have any stories or traditions you would like to share please pass them on and I will add them to this.

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas season and Peace now and through the New Year to come!