1D2: After Reading Discussion Question #2

[TreyAndKrys]

Think about your family's Christmas traditions. How many of them focus
on your own comfort and pleasure? What new traditions can you plan
that focus more on presence than presents?

*Your list from the pre-reading activity may be helpful in thinking
about this question.

[DAVEOJ1]

I grew up in a family that was not "churched". Our Christmas (gift
giving) was usually done on Christmas Eve with the extended family,
and then Christmas day was the immediate family, a few gifts from the
"Fat Guy in the Red Suit" , and a big dinner. Our traditions have
changed over the years, as we married, had a child of our own, and
come to understand more what Advent and Christmas are really about.
Donna is one who will still be hangning decorations on Christmas Eve.
We have a gathered a lot of them over the years. Every thing from a
Teddy Bear Nativity scene to the few ornaments left from our first
Christmas tree (which was, by the way, a pine tree that had been
chopped down from the telephone ocmpany
right-of-way using the car jack from our friend's car). Certian foods
are always part of our celebration, and these carry with them our
family and regional traditions. While our gift list has been whittled
down to our Son, our Mothers and each other, it has also been expanded
to include our Advent Mission Project at BUMC, our adpoted daughter in
Nigeria, and a few other projects that we hold dear. Advent studies
continue to be a part of our routine, as does Christmas Eve worship,
particularly an 11:00 pm candlight service, (We got to create and lead
this one year-awesome!) With Christmas on Sunday this year, I will
forego the Sunday afternoon golf game and be cooking the Prime Rib
dinner. I think that this year will have some special meaning as I
will be having surgery on my back on the 28th, and we will be in
preperation for that, and it's successful outcome. Hopefully that
will give us a lot to be thankful for this year.

[JoAnna Van Camp]

My family is myself and my daughter. She and I differ greatly on our
Christmas traditions. I love simplicity, and the celebration of
Advent. She loves parties and decorations and the tree and presents.
However, I have a new appreciation for my daughter's ways. Everything
she does in the season is because she loves her friends so much. She
loves thinking of them, and planning for them, and creating a party
for them. It is her love of others that creates her joy. I believe she
spreads God's love throughout the season in this way. As for me, I
choose to celebrate more quietly, and find ways to serve and give.