When my parents married, one of their desires was to have a close family. With that in mind, traditions became an important part of raising my three sisters, brother, and me, especially around the Christmas Season.
Starting in September, my brother collected and saved the Sunday comics. That was what he used to wrap his gifts to family. Another early fall tradition was Dad’s rule not to buy anything for yourself after Labor Day, unless necessary, because someone may have that on their Christmas list for you.
On Thanksgiving night, we would get the Christmas decorations out and begin the process of decorating the house. Mom had décor for every room, including the bathrooms. It would take days to have everything in its right spot. There was a big tree in the den and a tumbleweed tree in the living/dining room. For years, Granddaddy would send three tumbleweeds, from Lubbock, in a big refrigerator box, so my mom would have something to remind her of her West Texas roots. My Dad had made a broom handle stand that he stacked the tumbleweeds on. He then shaped them, sprayed them white, and flocked them. Once inside, he strung the lights and Mom added the ornaments. Mom had angels for decorations for the tree. Through the years, she would make new “clothes” for the angels and added other décor to the tree. The tumbleweed tree tradition continued until the early 80s.
As
Granddaddy got older, the tumbleweed was replaced with a traditional tree. When the regular tree was added, Mom made
ornaments for each person in the family for the tree each year.
As we began to raise our family, the Thanksgiving night tradition continued. We would go to Dad’s Office, where the decorations were stored, load them in the van, and take them to their house. Then we would unpack everything, string the lights, decorate the trees, and have things in place for Mom and dad to enjoy.
And the tradition lives on. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, our six grandchildren arrived with their parents, the tree was retrieved from the attic, the decorations and nativities unpacked, and the house decorated for Christmas!
Mom also made Christmas outfits for us through the years.
Food was an important part of our traditions. Mom and Dad would have an Open House each year for friends to visit. Weeks were spent baking and getting ready for the event.
On Christmas Eve our tradition was to have Reuben sandwiches or grilled cheese sandwiches that were made in the waffle iron that my parents received for a wedding gift in 1951. Christmas Day, Mom made the traditional turkey and dressing meal. We would stop playing with our toys when it was time to prepare dishes, set the table, or help with whatever Mom needed. Then there was cleaning up after the meal. When I was about 8, we asked my dad why we had to have that meal on Christmas Day. He said it was a tradition. We asked how you got a tradition and he said, “It is something you decide to do every year.” After talking with each other, the five of us kids went and told Daddy we decided on our tradition. We wanted him to grill hamburgers on Christmas Day so we could keep playing. Dad wisely told us it was important to Mom and she would need to have the final vote in the decision. Later in the day, we asked Mom what she thought about the decision. She was elated! Several times during the year, we reminded Daddy of the new tradition for Christmas Day. From that Christmas on, we have had grilled hamburgers for Christmas Day. The day is relaxing and we enjoy spending the day together.
The most important tradition during Christmas was remembering that Jesus is the reason we celebrate on Christmas Day and every other day of the year. We were in church on Sundays and Wednesdays. The Christmas story was read and memorized. Christmas music and songs were played and sung. On Christmas Eve, we attended the Christmas Eve Service at South Main, Pasadena. Our family was part of the family choir. We eventually took up the back row, once the 10 grandchildren arrived.
Thankfully, Mom and Dad’s desire for a close family became a reality that lives on to this day. Traditions played a part in that togetherness. And yes, many of those traditions have now been passed down to our children and their children, especially the reason we celebrate this season.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
Psalm 145:4
The living, the living – they praise you,
as I am doing today;
parents tell their children
about your faithfulness.
Isaiah 38:19
Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.
Joel 1:3
