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Many holiday traditions have
come from immigrants who brought their special observances with
them. Many of those, like the Christmas tree, have become a part
of almost every family’s Christmas celebration, thanks to
the German immigrants who brought the tradition with them to
their new land. Yule logs grace many homes, stockings to be filled
with treats hang on fireplaces, and nativity scenes hold a special
place of honor.
Some of the most cherished traditions
have been created in this country by writers like Clement C.
Moore who penned “Twas The Night Before Christmas”.
He is responsible for creating
the reindeer and the jolly St. Nicholas who came down the chimney.
Thomas Nast, one of the first true political cartoonists, is
basically the man responsible for the American image of Santa
Claus. And who doesn’t know about Francis P. Church’s
reply in the New York Sun to Virginia O’Hanlon’s question
‘is there really a Santa Claus. Christmas carols written
many years ago remind us of the Star, the Wise Men and the Shepherds
who journeyed to see the newborn child. From these stories, drawings
and music were born the traditions held dear by so many of us,
but some families have gone on to develop very special traditions
that are theirs to share with one another. Lest we forget, Charles
Dickens’ story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim added words to the
English vocabulary. Everyone understands what a Scrooge is and
everyone understands that Tiny Tim is the symbol of love and
hope. But these aren’t the only traditions of importance.
We recently learned of one that
has become a part of a family’s Thanksgiving celebration,
but it is one that could easily become a Christmas tradition.
The family purchases one of our rustic signs, has everyone sign
the back of it, dates the sign, and then gives it to one member
of the family as a keepsake. What a great new tradition. Every
family could do something similar, and it doesn’t need to
be a sign. It is the idea that is important. Finding some “gift”
that symbolizes the holiday and sharing in that “gift”
is a heartwarming way to give special meaning to family gatherings.
Every time the recipient looks at that keepsake, it becomes a
reminder of loved ones sharing the holidays. At Christmas, it
could be a little like finding the pickle on the Christmas tree
and receiving a special memento, an old tradition that made a
comeback in the 1990s.
Another family we know collects
money on Thanksgiving, then uses the money to help a family in
need at Christmas. One holiday activity leads to another, giving
special meaning to both. They share the tradition of giving with
one another, and each year a different member of the family decides
who or what will be the recipient of their joint gift. The giving
and the decision-making extend to the youngest members of the
family. Everyone participates equally, and the children learn
to actively become a part of the family’s belief in sharing
the season with those less fortunate than themselves. Other families
bake cookies together, sing carols together or trim the tree
together.
A tradition’s age or origin
isn’t the important element. The sharing and caring that
become a part of it are what memories are built upon. Make this
the year that a new family tradition is born or an old one is
resurrected. Handed down from generation to generation, traditions
form an unbroken link within families, countries and cultures.
Traditions become part of the ties that bind us all together.
What an important role simple tradition plays in all our lives. |
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