Christmas Memories

You can ask almost anyone if they have a great Christmas memory and more than likely they immediately start to smile. Christmas is, of course, the most joyous holiday we celebrate each year. If you ask me that question, I’m certain I could rattle off a story or two. But one of my favorite things about Christmas is recalling the beauty of Christmas and our house filled with decorations.

Now my favorite decoration at Christmas has always been a Christmas tree. There is just something warm and inviting about the glow and sparkle of them. They beckon you to come and sit for a while. You can get lost in your thoughts for hours just gazing at them. Whether they are real or artificial doesn’t really matter once they have been adorned with their seasonal jewelry!

Although there are literally thousands of ways to decorate one, I love it best when they are personalized to the family. What do I mean by that? Well, let me describe our Christmas tree. Now there are some traditional things on our tree, like white lights and tinsel. But our tree is decked out in ornaments that are truly significant to our family.

For instance, we have ornaments that have been gifted to us by family and friends. Then there are the ones that Darrell and I began picking out as a couple each year after we were married: our first Christmas, baby’s first Christmas. You get the idea.

One of our ornaments is an original replica of the Planters Peanut factory that was located here in my hometown. Why? Because my dad worked there for years, and I put that one up every year to remember him by.

I also have one of the original Obici Hospital, the place where I started my nursing career. A few of the ornaments found on our tree are originals themselves, made by the small hands of my son when he was a child.  I could go on and on, describing each ornament and the meaning behind it. They make our tree super special and bring back fond memories of years gone by.

But there is one decoration that tops them all. I give it the most prominent place on the tree –the upper, center branch just at eye level. It’s our nativity scene ornament. The one representing Joseph, Mary, and sweet baby Jesus! It symbolizes the real meaning behind Christmas, God’s gift to us –His son.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT

That verse and a nativity scene ornament have been a part of Christmas celebrations for as far back as I can remember, starting in my parent’s home and now in my own.

So, what type of Christmas memories mean the most to you? Do you have a tradition you continue or do you shake it up each year?  What are you looking forward to the most, and why?

I wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and laughter. I hope this year you will be blessed with an extra special Christmas memory that you can share for years to come.

This post was shared by Elaine is an author, blogger, and speaker. Her first book, Love Echoed Back: I Cried Out; He Answered, is available through www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

She is a long-standing member of Believers Church as well as an active small group leader, leading women-based groups for the last five years. It is her privilege to be a part of the Prayer Team and pray each week over those who seek intercession after the evening service. In addition, she has been a member and co-leader of the church’s Missions Team since 2010, traveling yearly to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to support the work of the local church and orphanage there.

What are your favorite Christmas memories as a family?