Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:8-9
We had several fun Christmas traditions in the small town where I grew up. At the Methodist church in Elk City, there would always be an Advent Party to kick off the season. Every year, we would make ornaments to hang on the tree in the sanctuary, all the kids would help decorate a giant gingerbread house that would be on display until Christmas was over, and every child was running around with a Frosty the Snowman hat made out of recycled newspaper with a dot of red paint on the tip of their Rudolph nose. Following the Advent Party, we would have a service to hang the ornaments we had made, sing Christmas carols, and listen to the story of Christmas.
The traditions weren’t only at church though, the town would go all out. The downtown shop windows would be decorated with white frost and fun displays, light posts would have their shiny decorations. The park would be lit up with tens of thousands of lights and a double decker bus would be brought in so people could ride through the park. Hot cocoa would be served with Santa and Mrs. Claus available for pictures in their sleigh. The spirit of Christmas was alive!
All these traditions made Christmas so special each year, but my favorite family tradition took place on Christmas Eve, when we would attend the Candlelight Service at our church. The service began at 11 at night and would end at midnight with the singing of Silent Night to celebrate the birth of our King.
I may not remember the presents I received each year, but I do remember the feeling of Christmas when I was a little girl. It was the pure joy that came from carrying the Light of Christ out of the doors of the church, celebrating that the Son of God was born. As a mother, I pray to pass along these traditions to my son, but more than anything, I pray we all experience the true meaning and joy of Christmas.
Taylor Easttom, Edmond Campus Director of Children’s Ministry
