Together: Christmas and Community
“They celebrated with joy.”
Ezra 6:22 (NIV)
In 2018 I saw a Hallmark movie and heard these words: “Tradition is the story families make when we do things together." Unfortunately, I don’t remember either the movie or its title, but those words have never left me.
“Together” is a recurring theme we find throughout the Bible. Israel’s annual calendar was filled with corporate festivals designed to assemble the community and remember who God is and what He has done. “Together” has also been my sacred echo over the last few weeks. It began when I wrote an Advent devotional series for Christmas at the Caroline House (CCH). Click here if want to download a copy of the devotional.
The devotionals were a joy to write mainly because the assigned task forced me to begin my Christmas heart preparation in October! Working together with Holly Hollon and our graphics designer Rebecca Galbraith, it was exciting to see all of our work come together to produce a finished product that would hopefully help others to also prepare their hearts for this Christmas season.
My “together” theme continued in November as I decorated a CCH tablescape. After days of moaning and groaning over my decorating task, I actually enjoyed, not the decorating, but spending time getting to know some very creative, energetic, and resourceful young women. We weren’t just decorating tables; we were building community as we got to know each other and worked together.
Eugene Park writes, “Community is never found; it can only be built.” Indeed, that principle has certainly proved true for Bruce and me as a part of our Hearts and Homes Sunday School community. Together we have raised kids, prayed, wept, laughed, learned, and done life over the last thirty years. In the process we built community as we loved and served God and each other. It was a joy to celebrate our annual Christmas dinner together with these friends, especially after missing it last year due to Covid restrictions.
Last week we gathered for a Guild Christmas workshop to create beautiful wreaths, garland, and mailbox saddles. All of the greenery was graciously provided by our church groundskeeper who supplied us with plenty of magnolia leaves, Japanese cypress, holly branches, eucalyptus, blue spruce and other evergreen clippings. One generous guild member brought a bag of pine cones and a couple of others helped the rest of us make bows. Some of the finished products are shown above and below.
Later that day Mimi, Bruce’s mom, and I gathered at my daughter Meredith’s house and baked Christmas cookies with my granddaughters. I watched and listened as my daughter patiently showed each girl how to measure and mix the cookie ingredients. 10-year old Julia and 7-year old Caroline then took turns practicing what their Mom had just shown them. 3-year old Mary Clayton was happily content to play with her Mom’s rolling pin. At the end of our baking session, we feasted on the cookies and celebrated with a family photo. Together four generations gathered and made so much more than cookies; we made a sweet Christmas memory and perhaps began an annual Christmas tradition.
Advent is best celebrated in community with others. Sharing our preparation and celebration activities with others lessens our work and multiplies our joy. We shouldn’t be surprised by that because the God who made us told us it isn’t good for man to be alone. (Genesis 2:18)
“Tradition is the story families make as we do things together.” What story will you write this Christmas?