Ushering in the True Feeling of Christmas

Many years ago I purchased the most beautiful Nativity for Christmas.  On Christmas eve, we let our children open this most special package.  Our children were in awe of each piece hand painted and so beautiful.  That evening, we quietly played Manheim Steamroller/ Fresh Air's rendition of Silent Night.  Very carefully, each of our young children took turns setting each piece of the Nativity in it proper place.

This experience was very touching and sacred, and brought our family the true meaning and sacred feeling of Christmas.  For several years after, we have tried to re-create this experience to usher in this special feeling of  Christmas, and have always dedicated our Christmas eve to reflect on our Savior and his birth.

Now that our children are growing up, marrying, or living away from home, I have had a strong desire to bring them all back for our special Christmas eve experience.  Being that there are always so many other places to be on Christmas eve, this year I have chosen to start a new tradition, that might invite the true meaning of Christmas at the beginning of the season before all the Christmas hub-bub begins.

So, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, I invited all those who could come celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season.  We ate homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner (a tradition after Thanksgiving, started by Myrt Hilton), decorated gingerbread houses, then gathered together to open and place our special nativity.  We were able to share the Christmas Story of Christ, while placing each piece.  After the pieces were placed, I ask for everyone to sing my favorite, Silent Night.  Our darling 2 year old granddaughter (who was the one in charge of getting helpers to place the Nativity pieces), made many  song requests after each song was sung.   She would say, "Now lets sing this, and lets sing this."   IT was a delightful night, and so sweet to share the true feeling of Christmas once again with my grown children, their spouses and their own children.

I am hopeful that this might be a worthwhile tradition that many of my posterity will learn to love.