Holiday Traditions

My kids are starting to get to the ages (2 and 4 years old) where I'm dying to start traditions that will last a lifetime-you know the kind that they remember forever and do with their own children someday.  That's a pretty tall order when you start surfing the internet for "Family Holiday Traditions"....as a matter of fact, in first 30 seconds of seeing all the amazing things people do, I shut my computer and resigned to the thought that there is NO way I could do any of those on a regular basis and still make happy memories!

My husband and I have been married for 8 Christmases-each year has brought something completely new, surprising, and unforeseen the previous year.  I won't bore you with the details, but in the past 5 years we've moved across the country twice, had 2 of our own kids, been blessed with 2 nephews and 1 niece, and lived in 5 houses (all in different states!).  This Christmas we are in Tampa, Florida, but only until January.  If you'd asked me last year where we'd be doing Christmas 2013, I would have said my family would be coming to our house in Maryland to celebrate all together.  Nope, not even close!

I'm not complaining, but rather making an observation that so many of us try to avoid, hide from, or simply don't notice: Life is constantly changing! It seems so obvious when you say it like that.  But when you think about holiday traditions and where you'll be with family next year, it's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle and focus on what the plan is for the next thing, rather than enjoying the now!

So, as I'm looking at starting some holiday traditions that my little ones will cherish, I am reminded that the needs of others is something we can always help to meet-so we go to the store, the kids each pick their favorite toy and give it to some organization helping families/kids who wouldn't otherwise have anything.  We read the Christmas Story and talk about Jesus Birth.  We go to the Candle light service on Christmas Eve and come home to unwrap new jammies and watch "The Christmas Toy".  We make an expertly decorated (by my 2 and 4 year olds) Birthday Cake for our infant Savior and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus on Christmas morning. 

These are simple things, but when I think about the holiday, wasn't Jesus' birth in the most simple circumstance, really?  I'm so thankful that during this Christmas Season, in our ever-changing lives, Christ is never changing! When I wake up on Christmas morning and enjoy watching my toddlers in the magic of the holiday moment, I will remember that this is a day that God has given me to cherish b/c those two most precious gifts from him will never be this age again!

I would love to hear what Holiday Traditions your family has that you just LOVE :)