One thing I’ve always enjoyed are the traditions that I associate with Christmas: Traditions that I had growing up as a child, traditions that I have with my family as a grown-up (some which are continuations from my childhood) and traditions I have with friends. There are four major ones that I can think of in the time leading up to Christmas.
The Hunt
Every year, a couple of weeks before Christmas, myself, Michelle, Jim, Liz and Kirsten (Lizzy’s best friend for those who are not familiar with “Lizzy’s World”) pile into the two family cars and head off to Jug-Hill Farms to pick out a Christmas tree. Sometimes the hunt seems to take forever and sometimes, like this year, we seem to find that perfect tree almost immediately. It doesn’t have to be a full day drawn out hunt. It’s just the activity, done together, that makes it so important to us.
The Shopping Night
One night, some years ago before Christmas, I went to the mall with some friends of mine. We had a drink and then, as we headed through the mall to another establishment, we each decided to pick up a few Christmas presents. The next year, we got together and decided to go out again. While sitting in the second establishment (alright, a bar) we realized that once again we had each bought gifts. From this unplanned activity a tradition grew. Now, some 26 or 27 years later, most of that original group, with a few additions, meets a couple of weeks before Christmas and effectively does the same thing. We meet, have a drink and a sandwich, head to the mall and buy at least one gift for someone on our Christmas list, and then go out for a couple hours after that. The one rule is that you must buy a gift! It doesn’t matter what. In fact one year one of the guys said he was already finished his shopping. He was a regular but it didn’t matter: Rules are rules. He ended up buying a pack of gum for a family members stocking stuffer. Another year we expanded the group, significantly. However, since none of them would follow the simple rule, they weren’t invited back the next year. They’re still buddies, they’re just not invited on this night.
Due to closing of various establishments over the years, some of the locations have changed but the tradition has survived. I think I’ve missed one year in all that time.
Baking Day
A weekend, or so, before Christmas Liz and I carve out some time and spend the better part of a day baking cookies. We stick to three of my mom’s specialties that I took over when she passed away: Tollhouse cookies, chocolate cookies, and rolled sugar cookies in Christmas shapes. They are not fancy cookies - I don’t think we’ll be winning any baking awards, but it’s fun and it’s something we do together every year as a father-daughter activity.
Christmas Eve
Since Liz sings in the Higher Ground band, we usually go as a family to the 9:00 Higher Ground Christmas Eve service. Hearing Liz, and the others, sing and experiencing Pastor Doug’s typically memorable Christmas Eve service is the perfect ending to the “pre-Christmas Day” period.
This year I decided to try to spice things up a little. Fulfilling another of my minor traditions (buying at least one gift on Christmas Eve Day) I stopped at TD bank to get a couple of gift cards. While there, I saw this great hat. Now I recognize that in some ways I have failed as a father. I’ve written before about how I find it impossible to truly embarrass my daughter in front of her friends, yet I continue to try. This year I decided that after we sat down and Liz and the band began to sing, I would put the hat on in the middle of church. Since we were sitting in the second or third row, she was sure to see it. What I didn’t count on was the fact that it is not nearly so difficult for me to embarrass my wife. As I pulled the hat out of my pocket, Michelle promptly advised me that if I put that hat on my head during the service, she would divorce me. Given the fact that it was Christmas Eve, a couple of our Woodside brothers and sisters behind us witnessed the exchange (and acknowledged it), and the look on Michelle’s face told me she was serious, I put the hat back in my pocket. I did however pop it on my head immediately after the benediction, thus skirting Michelle’s declaration. Upon approaching Liz and her friends, all I got was an “oh daddy” from Liz and high fives from her friends, thus continuing my failure.
We’re home from church now. The wrapping is all done, the stockings are hung by the chimney (with care) and we’ve put out milk and a cookie for Santa. The only thing left to do is enjoy a late glass of wine and then head for bed.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
