December 10, 2018

Changing Traditions
 
As a young family with two little girls, Christmases could be hectic, with all the self-imposed "must do’s".
 
And the Baby was born.
 
Christmas Eve gatherings, three families, 10 cousins, plus Grandpa and Grandma, alternating between our house and Dick's younger sister's house. One year was "Chicken Pox" Christmas, of course to be held at our house, until early on Christmas Eve morning our older daughter was discovered to have ONE unmistakable pock on her back! We knew she had been exposed at a birthday party, and we also knew that none of the cousins had had the disease. So, the food and gifts were transported to Dick's sister's, much to our 6-year-olds distress. Gifts were eventually exchanged; we took advantage of a mild (non-snowy!) evening to drive around our little community and see the decorations. Our 2-year-old daughter did get the Pox, too, albeit far more on a much smaller body!  Might as well get it over with, and fortunately neither daughter was very sick at all, other than a few sniffles.
 
And the Baby was born.
 
The children grow, and in our case, become involved in church activities, including choirs singing at church on Christmas Eve. The extended family was invited to join us, but they declined.  One year we were back to hosting the dinner, with a deadline that folks had to either go home or come to church with us, because we needed to be there. Dinner was prepared, places were set, and 8 people out of maybe 16 didn't show up, with no explanation.  Tears of frustration and self-righteousness fell at church when the Cherub Choir, including our daughter, in their little blue robes with white collars, came out and sang "Away in A Manger"....who can resist?
 
And the Baby was Born.

Now, two adult daughters, one son-in-law, and no grandchildren.  This year's new tradition:  no gifts, just a check and the freedom of the recipient to choose how to use it.  Another kind of freedom, too: no need to pay attention to advertising, sales, the frenzy......ah, there IS joy in Christmas, a quiet, comfortable sense of hope! 
 
And the Baby will be born, again, and again......
 
Barbara Anderson