Remembering Christmas’ Past

Merry Christmas

We all have traditions that we celebrate with family and friends. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. In different parts of the world it’s just an ordinary day where ordinary people go about doing their ordinary things. For the USA it is a major holiday. Almost everyone has the day off even if it falls in the middle of the week. People plan vacation time around Christmas, schools shut down and the stores make their biggest profits ever. There is a reason for the season. Some believe it’s because Santa Claus comes and delivers presents to everyone. We celebrate because we believe the birth of Christ is the real reason for the season. Family traditions usually set the stage for how individuals celebrate today.

Christmas was always a big day for us. I can’t remember not having a big Christmas as a child. I remember the gifts underneath the tree and just hanging out with my parents playing with toys all day long. It was the best day of the year.

When my kids were small we spent Christmas Eve at my parent’s house. The living room was filled with presents and we spent all evening opening them one by one. By the time we were finished with gifts, we’d head home looking for Santa’s sleigh in the sky. Actually, we’d see it many times. Then, the work began. Terry and I would stay up almost all night putting toys together and putting the finishing touch on the gifts so they would be ready early Christmas morning. It would be a very late night with very little sleep. It was amazing how early our kids crawled out of bed. My folks usually came over to watch the kids unwrap the gifts under their own tree.

It wasn’t just the gifts. Then, it was also starting Christmas dinner and having it ready for everyone on time. What a wonderful day but boy would I ever be beat in the afternoon. I loved those Christmas day naps after dinner was done and the clean dishes were finally put away.

Then, more kids came along and changing festivities. Our Christmas was big with kids and grandkids. The event would pretty much last all day long. There would be a lot of gifts, more than enough food, tons of laughter and more late afternoon naps. Aren’t memories wonderful?

Things have changed. Nothing is the same. Today is Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas Day. Hope you have a great day celebrating it. However, remember the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas