Prompt: Share about a holiday tradition that has been passed down from one generation to the next in your family.
The holiday season is about bringing friends and family together to celebrate. From Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or any Christmas event, the season brings a sense of happiness to our lives.
When I was a kid, tradition at the Robertson household started with putting up Christmas lights outside. My dad spent hours hanging lights outside ― I mean hours (think, Clark Griswold from Christmas Vacation). Christmas lights were as important to my dad in Agoura Hills as they were to the Booser Family in Westlake Village.
Why? He told me because he wanted to make a difference in our community and for us as kids (myself and my sisters) to love the holiday he loved.
My dad also saw, firsthand, the love of Christmas lights from my grandpa (his father-in-law). My late grandpa used to hang lights on his house and boat for the Newport harbor boat show. Maybe a symbol of joy, happiness, or festivities to bring people together but it jumped to the next generation.
Did I mention that my mom was just as passionate decorating inside the home? As a kid I never understood why. But as I grew older, I realized that decorating for Christmas was a chance to build memories, tradition and feel a sense of love.
Fast forward to today. I live outside Minneapolis (yes near a lake) and I am the guy who hangs up all the Christmas lights on his house. I am proud. My dad taught me hanging lights was not about our labor, but about the fruits of our labor. Our lights outside our home bring a sense of community, comfort, and tradition. Our next-door neighbor next said to us recently, “Thank you for what you do, I look forward to it every year.” More importantly, my kids love it. That is the ultimate gift on Christmas Day.
My tradition is labor-intensive (thanks, Pops). Is there a tradition you currently have, that brings families together? Traditions shouldn’t be big, but rather intentional. I think the holiday season is an opportunity to build or create memories.
For some, the holiday season may bring back negative memories. If so, that’s okay. As Christians, we can always look for Jesus during those times.
Merry Christmas, WPC. May God bless you and your families.
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