Christmas Traditions

[The Kilted Reverend]

Dear Rabble,

As I prepare to lead one of the churches I serve in there annual Christmas Eve Service I got to thinking does any of the rabble have any Christmas traditions. you know the kind where it is not Christmas without it.

I started a new one today in that I lead the other church in my pastoral charge in there new annual C.E. service, the new tradition for me is that all of the scripture was read from my Great Grandmother's bible. I can't date the bible but she was born in 1874.

So what rituals do you do to mark the Christmas Holiday.

Rev.

P.S. May you have the Happiest of Christmas Seasons.

[piperdbh]

My mother's family Christmas party has been on the 23rd of December for over 40 years. It's always at the same place, same time, same date. We eat too much, laugh and tell tales of olden times, see who's got a new boyfriend or girlfriend, new spouse, baby, car or whatever else. We also dress our children (and sometimes adults) in costumes and act out the Christmas story, complete with carols and animals (kids in costumes).
On Christmas day the Mrs. and I go to my parents' house for afternoon festivities, and my father always reads Luke 2. We make hard candy, doughnuts, or whatever else we want. It means more to me each year.

I hope your parishes enjoy a blessed Christmas Eve and a peaceful new year.

[Wompet]

It's a two hour drive (if the roads are clear) for me to go see my family, so I volunteer to work the holiday. That way one or two of my co-workers whose families are local can have the day off to spend with them.
My family will get together in a week or two to celebrate.

[longhuntr74]

Well this year I'm celebrating what seems to be a fairly new tradition...and that would be not being home for Christmas...3 out of the past 5 years I've missed it! And last year's was all askew because I had to report in for my deployment on Christmas day...and my base is over 2 hours away from where my family lives...so we were forced to celebrate Christmas on the 24th or not at all. Hopefully that is a tradition I can cast aside.

Regarding real traditions though....I always enjoyed going to...and then as I got older, singing in, the 11pm Christmas Cantata at my church where I grew up. It's been quite a few years and I think that they've moved the service to earlier in the eve....maybe next year though.

[thescot]

Wompet, you're a very good person.

My family gathers in Nashville at my brother's house. (Been doing this since my father died and we quit gathering at Mother's.) I will get there just in time for an afternoon repast, and we will all end up singing Christmas carols and watching the "kids" (who are now grown) open their presents. Our tradition is that we don't give presents to each other anymore. We donate to the Salvation Army or some such instead.

My own private tradition will continue: I shall stop along the way on Monteagle to stand alone and look out over the hills of Tennessee, fondly remember the loved ones gone who have left a great hole in my heart, recall that the memories and remorse of the stupid acts of our lives never leave us no matter how much we may repent, and then I shall thank God for my blessings and drive on with a tear drying on my cheek.

Dinner with the people who love me (except for my granddaughter who loves me best) will be all the sweeter for that few minutes alone.

[Riverkilt]

Well, the boss lets us go home at noon on the 24th every year. A nice treat.

The local Episcopal church opens itself to non-Christians throughout the year - letting the Jews in town use their church for Jewish holidays...the past few years they've had a candle light labyrinth walk on the labyrinth in the church courtyard...open to non-Christians. Seems a good holiday spirit to also celebrate the beginning of Winter.

[beloitpiper]

A relatively new one my dad and I have done for the past 3 years. Glenrothes and the Father Ted Christmas special. Warms the heart and body!

[Ozman1944]

Always Midnight Mass Christmas Eve, (In English);open gifts in the morning. The Traditional Latin Mass Christmas Day (Since 2007, thanks to Benedict XVI).
Of course in Australia we used to go to the beach after Christmas Dinner. In Los Angeles, to a Movie.
Merry Christmas to all!

[Jock Scot]

My Grandfather started it, I am told in 1919 and we have continued it ever since. When we sit down to our family Christmas lunch we raise our glasses and toast "absent friends". Not in a morbid way, but just a wee moment of time for those gone before us and for those that, for all sorts of reasons, can not be with us at the table.

[mayberry]

I have hosted a 12th Night party every year since 1978 (except one), so January 2010 is the 33rd. This year marks the 25th year that my wonderful wife has been my co-host. Held on the Saturday nearest Jan. 6, It's a grand and crowded evening of music, song, and dance, sometimes including mummers, and sometimes drums. People from all our worlds converge and enjoy each other's company. There are many folks who only see each other once a year at our party. My grown kids (whose friends now eagerly participate) tell me that when we're gone, the party will continue.
All the best to all you XMarkers for the holidays, and the New Year!
Cheers,
John