16 In Christmas - Simplify The Season

A Tradition of Remembering

Some traditions begin on a whim, and yet in their simplicity, they become a profound bedrock of family celebrations, rich in meaning and steeped in value. And it’s not until we’re given a glimpse backward that we realize how they’ve imprinted faith on our hearts and grounded us in hope for the future.

Create a Tradition of Remembering this Christmas season. Chrystal is a guest for us sharing how easy it is to simplify this season of business and embrace the true meaning of the season.

I remember it began early in our marriage, with a simple “baby’s first Christmas” ornament, hung on a short, barren tree, between a few golden baubles.

Like most young couples starting out, we didn’t have an excess of anything. We lived in a tiny parsonage and had scarcely enough extra to decorate our first Christmas tree. By the time our first child came along, our tree still lacked ornaments, but our hopes and dreams for what we wanted for our children was never lacking.

We wanted them to expect God

We wanted them to see God

We wanted them to experience God

And more than anything else, we wanted them to know that God loved them and was always working good in their lives…even when good was hard to find. Even if they were naughty or nice.

So without a lot of thought for what it would look like in the end, we began a simple family tradition of expecting, seeing and experiencing.  All to create a moment of knowing and a lifetime of faith.

We kept a running list of milestones for each of the children, and during the weeks leading up to Christmas, we selected a specific ornament as a memorial marker of God’s presence all year long.

Most years it seemed the list required us to narrow the focus in order to choose just one.  The more we expected God, the more we saw Him in each other’s lives.  The more we saw Him, the more we experienced His unwavering love and protection over our days.

The blessing of a pet or 1st place in the Science Fair

A baptism, a new hobby or a forever best friend

A first job or a first car

Scholarships, diplomas or degrees

The tradition of each child opening a single ornament to commemorate God working in their lives through the year became a treasured part of our Christmas celebration.  The faith which grew from a tiny package revealed on Christmas Eve still marks the hearts of my children. It marks all of us.

And when I hear them recount something that happened in their day with the acknowledgment of, “it was a God moment” I know the seed of faith has not only been planted, but it’s firmly rooted in their hearts.

29 years have passed since the first ornament was hung on that tiny, barren tree. It’s no surprise that in the raising of 3 children, our Christmas tree has also grown through the years.  Now, boxes with each child’s name sit, filled with delicate, tissue-wrapped ornaments. Ornaments which tell a story and memorial markers that lay a timeline of living.

Our tree decorating has become so much more than a sweet time of gathering and hanging pretty baubles on evergreen branches.

It’s become a rich time of remembering. A time of counting and reliving memories. And a time of inviting God to weave the truth of his grace and mercy deeper into our souls. Not for just a day, but for an entire year. Each and every year.

“I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a luxuriant cypress that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.” Hosea 14:8

 

Crystal is an advocate of living outside of comfort zones as a means to unlocking hidden potential and experiencing God’s wild and uncontainable love.  She writes on combining a little bit of intention with a lot of passion to create an overwhelming legacy of hope.  She is the proud mother of a Professor of History, a Worship Pastor and a soon-to-be Biologist and also loves fresh markets, lattes and all things French.

You can connect with Crystal through her Blog and also on Facebook , Twitter and Pinterest.

 

 

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    Kate| A Hundred Affections
    November 7, 2017 at 7:21 am

    Crystal, I love this tradition! My boys are just 2.5 and we get a new ornament every year, but I love the idea of it being something that has significance of what has happened over the year! What a beautiful timelines for your family! Starting this one this year! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    • Reply
      Crystal
      November 7, 2017 at 9:42 am

      I never expected it would become such a heart-warming tradition Kate, and it doesn’t matter how old the kids get, they love reliving the memories each year when they unwrap and remember the blessings tucked away. It’s become part of building a legacy of hope, and I’m so grateful we managed to be consistent! I hope they pass the tradition down to their own children one day.

  • Reply
    Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups
    November 7, 2017 at 7:37 am

    What a lovely tradition!

  • Reply
    Melissa Javan
    November 7, 2017 at 7:38 am

    Interesting. Love your intention of helping your kids to see, experience and feel God. I’ve been wondering how can I do this as a mom.

    • Reply
      Crystal
      November 7, 2017 at 9:44 am

      Well, I would encourage you to incorporate this into your family Melissa. It has taught us to look for and expect God 365 days out of the year. His faithfulness to show up is a huge faith-builder! Best to you as you consider how to tuck God into the seams of your children’s days.

  • Reply
    Tanya
    November 7, 2017 at 8:31 am

    You are creating some special memories. That is such a great tradition.

  • Reply
    Kristin Cook
    November 7, 2017 at 8:57 am

    I LOVE the ornament idea! That is so sweet, special activity that I’m sure means a ton to them even now!

  • Reply
    Stephanie Lane
    November 7, 2017 at 9:29 am

    My children thrive on traditions. I think we have a tradition for every Holiday. The tradition that I’m most proud of is our Postcard Book. Every time we visit somewhere new we grab a post card. It could be from a general store or a National park. We wright the date and who attended. It’s fun to get it out and look back as we put new ones in.

  • Reply
    Crystal
    November 7, 2017 at 10:23 am

    Oh, I love that idea! I truly think traditions can become a strong backbone to support family and faith. And how easy they can be to incorporate with a little consistency and excitement. Before long, they drive themselves:)

  • Reply
    Kristi Hurley
    November 7, 2017 at 10:48 am

    This is such a great tradition! I have 4 kiddos & we have been doing this for over 20 years. It truly does make the holidays a very special time of the year. One of my boys is now in the Navy & engaged but I know he will keep this tradition going throughout his family as well! Love it! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
    Kristi

    • Reply
      Crystal
      November 8, 2017 at 7:49 am

      Sometimes we don’t realize how long we’ve been carrying this tradition until we step back and look at the tree. Multiply this by the number of kiddos and well, let’s just say we never bought any other ornaments through the years except for these.

  • Reply
    Keri
    November 7, 2017 at 11:00 am

    What a great tradition! It makes Christmas even more meaningful.

  • Reply
    Elizabeth
    November 7, 2017 at 3:20 pm

    What a beautiful tradition and precious verse from Hosea! It’s great thinking about what I want my children to learn about the Lord this Christmas, thank you for encouraging us 🙂

    • Reply
      Crystal
      November 8, 2017 at 7:54 am

      This verse from Hosea is such a sweet part of our tradition Elizabeth! To focus on the truth that God’s faithfulness to us is like the evergreen has been planted deeply through tangibly identifying how He was present each year in each child’s life. Of course, my husband and I got on board also, so we each have our own. Enjoy as you consider ways to keep remembering God’s faithfulness this Christmas.

  • Reply
    Rhonda
    November 9, 2017 at 7:12 am

    Crystal – you are right – we did this in the past and can get started back now that we have our first grandchild and 2 more on the way. I don’t know why we stopped – but our children always loved a new ornament each year.

  • Reply
    BettieG
    November 9, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    What a beautiful way to treasure family memories of God’s Presence in your lives! I love this idea. Our kids are grown, but it sounds like it would be fun even with the Grandchildren!

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