Christmas Traditions
Preserving What Matters Most
As part of my wife’s baby shower, all the women were asked in the weeks beforehand to pen a letter passing along any sage advice they had regarding all things motherhood and raising children. The collective content was fantastic! In fact, a separate article could be written about it, because in them contained some of the most time tested and thoughtful observations on what truly matters. One golden nugget amongst them was to start traditions. In the years since, that simple recommendation has stayed with me, especially during the Christmas holidays, where traditions are honored most reverently. More on that later.
When thinking about the word “tradition,” it’s impossible not to bring to mind the spirited song at the beginning of the 1971 musical film Fiddler on the Roof. Belted out by the poor Jewish milkman, Tevye, the central theme of tradition is heartily repeated throughout as he navigates how to hold onto his Jewish and cultural mores during a time of sweeping changes across Imperial Russia at the turn of the 20th century.
We see traditions being played out all around us. Babies being baptized and children receiving their first holy communion. Fasting and recounting the Stations of the Cross during Lent. Bar mitzvahs and Passover Seder meals. Singing Carmen Ohio at the end of every Ohio State football game. Fireworks and barbecues on Independence Day. Keg tappings to commence Oktoberfest’s each year. Gifting red packets during Chinese New Year. Favorite recipes being made on birthdays and special occasions.
For the most part, traditions are enjoyable and have the added benefit of bringing families and communities together. They are carried out during moments of distinct change (high school graduation, marriage, enlisting in the military, etc.), but also during unexpected events (death, pregnancy, onset of war, etc.). They bind generations and remind us what’s important…what ought not to be forgotten. They teach our children about history, their family lineage, and how to act appropriately across a wide array of situations.
For example: how to mourn properly and grieve for the dead. How to celebrate the birth of a child or the marriage of a dear friend. How to pay homage towards those who’ve paved the way for you. How to commemorate days in history. How to court your potential spouse, traditionally. How to know when to be joyful and when solemnity is required.
There are countless instances where situational judgement is required. That’s a part of becoming a mature adult. Traditions help establish a suitable response for all these events.
Now back to Christmas.
Maybe the most significant day (season) associated with traditions is Christmas. From the sacred to the “patently commercial”, it’s game on once we’ve slept off our beloved Thanksgiving feasts. The nostalgia of childhood remembrances sets in and the act of passing them on to the next generation adds to the merriment. Having been raised Catholic, the Advent & Christmastide seasons are chalk full of traditions in preparation & celebration of the Christ Child. Many of my most cherished memories are associated with this time of year. Keeping them intact is enormously gratifying, but amidst the noise and barrage of options it can be difficult.
So my recommendation is this: think and write your traditions down. Whatever they are, take them seriously, because on them rests what you deem imperative to preserve.
As Tevye succinctly concludes: “Tradition. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as a fiddler on the roof!"
If interested, below is a list of traditions, both new and old, that are practiced in my family:
Christmas Traditions
1. St. Nicholas Night (book, orange, candy cane, chocolate – aluminum foil wrapped Santas from Winans and Zotter Chocolate)
2. Advent Wreath and praying rosary each Sunday (Joyful Mysteries)
3. Midnight Mass (preferred) or Christmas Day mass
4. Read:
Magnificat – Advent Companion
story of Christ’s birth from the Gospel of Luke
A Visit from St. Nicholas (’Twas The Night Before Christmas) by Clement C. Moore
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
homemade “Yuletide – Mediations for a Weary World” book containing favorite poems, carols, quotes, and reflections
Joy to the World by Scott Hahn
5. Listen:
A Christmas Carol 1939 Radio Play with Lionel Barrymore & Orson Welles
Music (Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Burl Ives, Josh Groban, Nutcracker soundtrack, The Petersens, etc.)
6. Watch:
It’s a Wonderful Life
Christmas Vacation
A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott and The Muppets)
The Santa Clause
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Polar Express
Christmas claymation movies (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, The Year Without a Santa Claus)
Runners Ups: The Man Who Invented Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Klaus, Home Alone
7. Putting up Christmas Tree, outside lights & Nativities with family
8. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family
9. Ft. Loramie Historical Society’s Williamsburg Christmas Dinner
10. Christkindlemarkt Russia
11. Handwriting Christmas letters to my wife and children
12. Taping Christmas cards of family and friends on the inside of our front door
13. Traditional French Galette de Rois (with fève) & Raclette on Feast of Epiphany
14. Chalking the door on Epiphany Day
Special Years / When Possible
1. St. Remy Crib Lighting
2. Nutcracker (live ballet)
3. Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
4. Live greenery around front door, above garage door, and around outdoor Nativity
5. Christkindlmarkt in Germany, France, Austria, Poland
6. Christmas caroling with friends
7. Cut down live tree with family
8. Yule Log cake
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”
- Gustav Mahler
Insightful as always. Thank you Levi!