What are your winter/holiday traditions?

devotion10 said:

My memories of Christmas ...

are pleasant and varied.  As a child in the south we did not have snow every year but decorating our home was a very big deal. My father volunteered at a Christmas tree lot and would bring lots of excess evergreen that he would make into a huge 8' wreathe that would go around a large bay window outside the front of our house.  From the outside looking in it framed the Christmas tree inside perfectly.  I loved to go outside and look at it at night when the Christmas lights were on.  It took my breath away and the fact that my father made it, well, I just loved that.  The rest of the evergreen he would bring home would be placed everywhere in the house; I remember that lovely fresh pine smell fondly. Also, back in the 1950's it was still possible to safely go door-to-door Christmas caroling which I would do each year with the neighborhood kids ... I haven't thought of that in so many years.

As an adult, living in San Francisco with my agnostic artist husband I had to inititate him very slowly to celebrating and decorating for the holidays ... having a Christmas tree was just not cool. Through the years and after moving from sunny California to the dark cold of the winter in the northeast and then the midwest my husband finally surrendered to the beauty of twinkle lights, cinnamon brooms, and lots of evergreen everywhere in the dark of winter.

Our family took part in many different types of celebrations during the winter season over the years ... Catholic Mass, Boxing Day, Winter Solstice, Bodhi Day, and Mardi Gras. I can't say our traditions were really Christian, but since we were both raised in Christian homes we sort of chose what we enjoyed from the celebrations. I must have read our son every creation story from every religion there is when he was growing up.  But, we did have a Christmas tree, exchanged gifts, and always set out a little manger that my father had carved when I was a child. When our son was little I went so far as making footprints from my husband's boots with powder as if Santa had come in to deliver gifts ... kind of creepy when I think about it now:) Sometimes our family would have a reunion at Christmas in New Orleans. My brother and his family lived in a very old, large home in the Garden District and we would all be together there. The ceiling was very tall and so was the tree. My brother would play Christmas carols on the piano and we would all sing, most rather poorly, but with great gusto. 

This year is the first since my husband passed last summer but my son and I are determined not to give in to sadness or grief. We are going to volunteer on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day serving meals at a homeless shelter and then a safety house for women and children. Our decorating was simply placing those little window candles everywhere ... and it is all ok because we have our wonderful memories ... next year maybe we will restablish new traditions.

Whatever your beliefs, non-beliefs, whatever your traditions ... love one another, hold those you love close. Light a candle in this darkest time of year for all those who are suffering everywhere. Peace to you all. ~ Cynthia

that's very beautiful.  I think it's wonderful that you and your son will be sharing your goodness with others, as a way of marking the season.

Hugs and love to you both.