To tradition or not to tradition? That is the question hanging over the Flower’s household as the Holiday season approaches. Ya’ll I’m not going to lie, I look forward to this time of year less and less every year.
I used to be the one flitting around, baking enough sweets to feed an entire country, draping garland over anything that would stand still, shouting “Merry Christmas!” to every man woman and child within 100 yards of me from November 1st til New Years. We’ve always had the huge tree covered with ornaments and lights, present piled all around. We’re the yard that looks like Clark Griswold on crack; can be seen from space, I swear it. Santa gets hand pressed, sprinkle decorated, homemade cookies on a special plate. Every room in our house sparkles with collectible nativities, snowmen, lights and greenery, the whole place is touched with Christmas cheer.
But the last few years I have found my joy in these great time honored traditions dwindling, and it makes me sad. The decorating feels like such a chore. I don’t want to drag the hundred boxes labeled “Christmas” down from the attic. I have given our fake, pre lit tree (too many allergies in this household for a real one) the endearing name of “stupid tree”, because I loathe the hours it takes to get it put up and fluffed out before we can even start decorating it. To watch my husband struggle and curse at tangled lights and finicky blow ups is no longer amusing, but irritating.
I know, I know. I might as well shout “Bah Humbug!” and steal Cindy Lou Who’s presents. But guys, I’m just not feeling it. The months of November and December are some of the busiest there are in my crazy nursing world. I just can’t seem to muster the energy and enthusiasm it takes to pull off a traditional Christmas anymore. I just want to spend quality time with my family not on my family.
So, I came up with a grand plan. We’ll run away to the beach for Christmas! I’m talking primo family time, fabulous vacation. Beach front condo, whale watching, scuba diving. Amen and Merry Christmas to us! Who needs all that tradition stuff when you’ve got sand between your toes and the soothing sound of the ocean in your ears as you laze in the warm tropical sun? Right?
Wrong. My husband still insists that the lights must go up. I mean how can it be Christmas without an inflatable Darth Vader and Yoda in your front yard? It’s tradition. And I thought my son was going to lose it when I told him I wasn’t putting up the “stupid tree” this year. Where’s Santa supposed to put his presents if there’s no tree, he asks? Side note, the trip was supposed to be everyone’s present. What? No presents! You can’t have Christmas without presents. Well what about cookies? We have to make sugar cookies. It’s tradition. Oh, and where are we going to watch The Polar Express in 3D on Christmas Eve if we’re not home to watch it on the 3D TV? It’s tradition!
I was so close to my hassle free Christmas dream, and now my traditionalists have vetoed my Skipping Christmas attitude. Cue the pouting, arms crossed, foot stamp “I don’t want to”. My inner child is about to sit in the middle of the grocery store aisle and throw a fit for all to see if I don’t get my way here. I want the beach and I want it now!
Okay, okay, that’s a bit extreme. Maybe. But in writing this I think I’ve had my lightbulb moment of the day. The reason I no longer find joy in our traditions is that I’m more focused on the Season, rather than the Reason. In these years past I’ve been so caught up in giving my family a “magical” Christmas, when the real joy is found in the Meaning of Christmas. God did not send his Holy, Righteous Son so that we could have an overwhelming collection of nativity sets or a gazillion Christmas ornaments. My Lord sent His Son to be my Risen Savior, and that’s something worth celebrating! Ah, there’s my joy! I knew it was hiding in there somewhere, buried beneath a pile of tinsel I’m sure.
So, we’re still going to the beach. But we’re going because I want some fun, uninterrupted time with these two amazing guys God blessed me with. That brings me joy. And as a compromise, because that’s what loving families do, we will still keep a select few of our traditions going. The ones that really mean something and bring joy to our family and others. The rest of the energy sapping fluff will go, because that’s all it is, fluff. I’ll keep you all updated on whether the “stupid tree” makes the cut or not.
What are some special traditions you share with your family? Are there some that you’d like to see become a thing of Christmas past? How will you find your joy this Christmas?
