christmas traditions // NO. 4

i've already mentioned our tree decorating but our current tree wasn't decorated at the time, so i didn't have any fun christmas tree pictures for you! so for those of you who missed it, we get our tree on thanksgiving weekend, put on the lights and decorate together while listening to our favorite christmas classics. our tree has never been one of those perfectly decorated trees, with evenly spaced ornaments of a certain color scheme. we've collected and been given ornaments over the years and tend to place them wherever we want on the tree. the result is a beautifully eclectic display of christmas cheer.

another tradition of ours is to sit down as a family on christmas eve to read the story of jesus' birth in luke 2. then we have an "official" lighting of our christmas tree. we turn all the lights out and someone tries to find the christmas tree lights cord and the outlet without hurting themselves. the lights get plugged in and then the only light in the house is coming from the tree. it's pretty magical and a powerful image of how Christ is the light of the world. it always brings this verse to mind..."the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - john 1:5. There is so much hope wrapped up in that sentence. i love this tradition because on the eve of the day where most of the world is focused on the presents under the tree, we take time to fill our hearts and minds with the truth of christmas and the real reason we celebrate.

after that, we open our stockings and presents. christmas day is spent with extended family so over the past few year we've done our family christmas together on christmas eve. when i was little, we did everything on christmas day, but my brother and i were allowed to open one present on christmas eve. that was always really special and exciting to me. also, we always have a "happy birthday, Jesus" cake, and yes, we do sing happy birthday. :)

i wanna know, can you showwwww me? //name that song// what are some of your christmas tradtions? if you do a post on the subject, leave the link in the comments so i can come see! :)