One of my favorite memories is my father reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. We would light a fire and all gather around as he read. He had a beautiful voice and it was very soothing.
When I was in high school, the teens would practice several hymns on the bells and would play at the two Christmas Eve services. There was also a harpist that played for those special services.
One year after the second service I got into the car to head home and I was informed that they had decided to open gifts that evening instead of waiting till morning. I burst into tears. I was very locked in to the traditions. It didn’t help that they said that was what my step-mother’s family did. The next morning, my friend, Pam came to see what I’d gotten for Christmas and was shocked at how quiet it was. I explained my family’s decision and she didn’t approve either.
You see, I had things all twisted around. I was focusing on the traditions instead of the meaning of Christmas. Listening to my dad reading the scripture was more than a tradition as were the hymns and the Christmas music, but when we opened gifts or even if we had any gifts was not what the season was about. It was about the Son of Man coming to earth to show us the way to the Father. The lights, the music, the food and the gifts were merely fluff.
There are some jokes about C&E Christians (Christmas and Easter). At least, they are there and hopefully hear a message about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This is what the season is all about. I usually read scripture on Christmas Eve at one of the services and I hope that the meaning sinks deep into my soul. There are so many distractions that it is hard to keep the correct focus. Merry Christmas!