Advent - Traditions
Traditions – every organization, church, or family has them. The Christmas season seems to be filled with traditions. Bunny’s school staff has the tradition of “Secret Santas” – each staff person is paired with a different staff member and they exchange secret gifts throughout the season. Gifts can be edible, collectable, or delightful. The “Secret” of who is whose Santa is revealed at the staff Christmas party where one larger gift is exchanged.
Our family has the tradition of a real Christmas tree. For most of our married lives, Bunny and I have walked the fields, mountains, or forests to find and cut the perfect tree. Sometimes we drove to Colorado and found our tree on the side of the mountain. One time we walked the woods to find just the right tree. Most often we drive to a tree farm. This year was no exception. We drove to the country, sat on a wagon and rode out to the field to find the perfect tree – 2002. We walked through the snow – next time we wear boots, not loafers – and found just the tree for us. We called the man with the saw and he made the cut. Up on the trailer went the tree; up onto the wagon we climbed. The next stop was for hot chocolate and cider with freshly popped popcorn. The tree was bundled into the truck and we drove home – stopping for our traditional “after we found the perfect Christmas tree” lunch.
The tradition in our house is that Dad centers the tree in the stand while Mom makes sure everything is straight. Once the tree is standing tall and straight, Dad strings the lights, the family places the ornaments, the tinsel is hung and the train is assembled under the tree. This year was no different
As we were draping the tinsel, I could hear my Mother insisting to her children, “one strand at a time.”
Bunny has kept the tradition of “one strand at a time” alive in our household. The game was for the children to wait until backs were turned to see if they could toss handfuls of tinsel high over the tree and watch them arch down – without Mom or Dad catching them.
As I separated and placed each strand of tinsel I heard Mom saying, “one strand at a time.” I heard Bunny instructing our children, “one strand at a time.” I reflected at what good advice that is.
Whatever task I have before me, I must remember that I can accomplish lots – if I take it “one strand at a time.” The backyard wasn’t completed in a day or a week, but took five years to date. The children weren’t raised all at once – we had to take it one day at a time – one crisis at a time – one celebration at a time. My eighth grade students didn’t learn Algebra all at once – it was one problem at a time. Kindergartners learn their alphabet – one letter at a time. If I concentrate on the results – I am discouraged. If I concentrate on the pieces, I am encouraged.
We are given the command to “teach all nations.” That is an overwhelming task. If, however, I can teach just one person at a time – and we each teach one person at a time – soon the whole world will know Christ!
Our family has the tradition of a real Christmas tree. For most of our married lives, Bunny and I have walked the fields, mountains, or forests to find and cut the perfect tree. Sometimes we drove to Colorado and found our tree on the side of the mountain. One time we walked the woods to find just the right tree. Most often we drive to a tree farm. This year was no exception. We drove to the country, sat on a wagon and rode out to the field to find the perfect tree – 2002. We walked through the snow – next time we wear boots, not loafers – and found just the tree for us. We called the man with the saw and he made the cut. Up on the trailer went the tree; up onto the wagon we climbed. The next stop was for hot chocolate and cider with freshly popped popcorn. The tree was bundled into the truck and we drove home – stopping for our traditional “after we found the perfect Christmas tree” lunch.
The tradition in our house is that Dad centers the tree in the stand while Mom makes sure everything is straight. Once the tree is standing tall and straight, Dad strings the lights, the family places the ornaments, the tinsel is hung and the train is assembled under the tree. This year was no different
As we were draping the tinsel, I could hear my Mother insisting to her children, “one strand at a time.”
Bunny has kept the tradition of “one strand at a time” alive in our household. The game was for the children to wait until backs were turned to see if they could toss handfuls of tinsel high over the tree and watch them arch down – without Mom or Dad catching them.
As I separated and placed each strand of tinsel I heard Mom saying, “one strand at a time.” I heard Bunny instructing our children, “one strand at a time.” I reflected at what good advice that is.
Whatever task I have before me, I must remember that I can accomplish lots – if I take it “one strand at a time.” The backyard wasn’t completed in a day or a week, but took five years to date. The children weren’t raised all at once – we had to take it one day at a time – one crisis at a time – one celebration at a time. My eighth grade students didn’t learn Algebra all at once – it was one problem at a time. Kindergartners learn their alphabet – one letter at a time. If I concentrate on the results – I am discouraged. If I concentrate on the pieces, I am encouraged.
We are given the command to “teach all nations.” That is an overwhelming task. If, however, I can teach just one person at a time – and we each teach one person at a time – soon the whole world will know Christ!
