Yesterday, I gave you a lot of homework. How did you do? Did you begin to prepare physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?

What we can control

There may be a lot of things out of our control this year, but there are some things we can control. Our attitude. Our habit of celebration. Our planning events that build memories for our children!

In 25 Days of Thriving Through Christmas, I share this tip:

Tip 14 – Start a tradition.

“Make sure the good ground of your home includes an abundance of laughter, parties, celebrations, presents, candles, Christmas trees, gifts, surprises, rocky road ice cream, jokes, backyard picnics,….” 

-Bill Carmichael, Seven Habits of a Healthy Home

The truth is we each have traditions whether we choose them or just participate in them by default. We say to our spouses, “But, my mom did it this way.” The traditions are seared into our minds so deeply that we consider them dates on a calendar instead of choices.

Choose a New Tradition

This is a great year to choose a new tradition! If you can’t do everything the way you did it last year or the way your mom did it, it’s okay. You have the power to choose. You have the power to practice the habit of celebration.

Here are some suggestions:

• Read a Christmas book together. My family loves The Family Under the Bridge.
• Sing a Christmas Carol every day.
• Do a Christmas Craft. (I’m decorating some old sleds and making some mason jar lid wreaths).
• Take a winter nature hike and then have hot chocolate.
• Sit by the fireplace and tell stories of your Christmases growing up.
• Put on some Christmas music and sing at the top of your lungs.

The beginning of a tradition now is a pocket full of memories later.

Christmas is a time for rebuilding the walls around your family and creating some new memories for you and your child.

Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.

– Nehemiah 8:10

It’s a good thing to celebrate. Eat the cookies. Drink the hot chocolate. Don’t be grieved and depressed. The joy of the Lord is our strength and stronghold.