The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

It's that time folks... a time for trees, and cookies, and presents, caroling, lights, and magic. Christmas is knocking on our doors begging to be let in. I personally love this time of year... and I honestly think it's mostly because of the way my parents (mostly mom) loved this time of year. As said before Christmas carols rang out of our stereo speakers from late October to early January. Decorations were on the tree the day after Thanksgiving, and presents were soon to follow... always decked out with bows and treats on top. I looked forward to Christmas Eve with the cookies and candy and our family Christmas Eve program... We all took part and shared our own prepared act... whether it was a story, poem, song, lip sync, whatever... to end with songs and the reading of the Bible. I loved and cherished those moments. Now that I have a family of my own... I am in charge of these traditions that make Christmas so great. We have recently adopted a few, but I'm always looking for more things we can do that will invite the spirit of Christmas into our home. 2 years ago we started our own Christmas tradition where we all sit around the table with one candle lit and the rest of the lights in the house off. It represents the light of Christ and as I talk we light every ones personal candle to represent spreading the light of Christ through love for others. Then we read the Christmas story by candle light. I also came across a great idea this year which I plan on starting. You get a journal and every Christmas Eve you have everyone that's there write the blessings they have received over the year. Then you pack it away with your decorations and do it again every year. I thought it would be pretty awesome in 20 years to see how much we have changed or who was there for each Christmas. So what are your family traditions? What do you love most about Christmas now or when you were a kid? Share share share...