traditions

I love traditions…and starting new ones.

Every year around this time I get giddy about all the familiar scenes. I have to admit, I’m one of those guys who starts the Christmas music November 1 on the radio – sorry. I’m also the guy who drives 10 miles an hour at the slightest snow fall. Sorry, but I’m from Tennessee, what can I say!?!

I grew up with a small family, my mom and brother – my dad was gone from the picture much of my life. I hungered for family. The Christmas season gave me a taste of what I craved. We traditionally spent Christmas in Miami, Florida, where my Mom’s side of the family is from. One Christmas we went to the Miami Dolphins game with my brother, Uncle, Aunt, and Dan Marino. Great memory!

Fast forward a few years…my wife Molly and I have five of us in our family, and one more due this February. It blows my mind to think I have such a large crew. I really do love it. I still crave family; God has built that into my soul. I love the traditions I grew up with and the ones we’ve started:

• We purchase pajamas and open them every Christmas Eve.
• We get each kid three gifts:
  1. an activity that we do with them (we are taking GA to the nutcracker tomorrow night!);
  2. something that challenges them spiritually (right now its been picture Bibles, but will have to get creative as they start getting older and more mature);
  3. something just for fun they can enjoy (like Jack’s race cars).

Our favorite tradition is to all snuggle on our bed on Christmas morning and read through the Christmas story in Luke 2 and talk as a family about the mysteries of God. There’s where my cravings are fully realized–where the family of my heart’s desire meets the God our hearts most need.

May you be blessed this Christmas and enjoy your traditions, old and new.