That’s Not How I Celebrate Christmas

Written by Marilyn Ehle

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

Psychologists tell us that with the birth of each new baby, family dynamics drastically change. The same is true – and perhaps to an even greater degree – with the addition of each new son- or daughter-in-law. This is no more dramatically illustrated than at holiday celebrations.

This was vividly brought home to us the first time our youngest son and his wife joined us for Christmas. We had come down to the tree in the living room that morning in our pajamas and robes, read the beautiful Christmas story out of the Bible, and then opened our gifts. We enjoyed a traditional breakfast (traditional to our way of thinking!) and relaxed over coffee.

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Finally we cleared away the breakfast dishes and shards of wrapping to begin preparations for Christmas dinner. The aroma of turkey, sweet potatoes and homemade rolls soon filled the house and by late afternoon, we were more than ready to eat. But where were our son and his wife?

When they finally appeared at the decorated table with its variety of dishes, we were stunned. They had changed into the finest of holiday clothing – velvet dress for her and shirt and tie for him. The rest of us definitely looked like the poor relatives in our casual, relaxed pants and sweaters!

This was only the first of “cultural” changes we would face in our growing family. Each new person brings his or her traditions into the holiday setting and adjustments must be made by all. We find that flexibility and commitment to making everyone as comfortable as possible are keys to holiday celebrations that are reflections of the true meaning of Christmas.

The words of the Apostle Paul have great meaning as we gather to celebrate: “consider others better than yourselves”

Lord Jesus, you made the ultimate cultural adjustment when you left the heavenly kingdom to become a human being. The Creator God chose to be one like His creation. Help me be “adjustable.”

Questions: What cultural challenges have you experienced in your family holiday celebrations? What worked? What didn’t work?

About this Author: Marilyn Ehle

Tags: celebration, Christmas, Christmas traditions, Culture, Devotional, Family, holidays, humility, love, Marilyn Ehle, service, Women

4 Responses to “That’s Not How I Celebrate Christmas”

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Shari says:

December 7, 2009 at 5:58 pm

Traditions for me have changed radically as loved ones have died and families have moved far away. One of my children has been in Iraq or overseas the last 8 out of 10 years. As a result, the truer significance of this season comes to mean more to me—our Jesus came, taking the form of a baby, subjecting Himself to everything human—all because of love. May your Christmas be filled with everything that fills your hearts with God’s love. And may the simple things of every day bring glory to God on High as we give Him thanks. He is so good!
Andi says:

December 7, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Great thots and comments. Cultural differences have given us many different experiences. Living in the South Pacific we had a few Christmases at the beach w/a BBQ and sharing our traditions w/our Tongan friends.
A Viking daughter-in-law introduced us to the Norse “little Christmas’ and ‘Big Christmas’ and opening of gifts on Christmas eve.
A son-in-law who grew up in an unchurched family helped us to see Christmas from that perspective and to speak Christ into his thots regarding the Christmas season.
One of our traditions has been to open our home to those w/no where to go on Christmas day. What a HUGE blessing this has been over the years. It is time to reintroduce the ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ cake once again now that we are grand-parents [we stopped some years back after the kids were grown].
Thanks for today’s deovtional
Cindy McClellan says:

December 7, 2009 at 11:57 am

I find this to be so true. Of course things change every time someone new is added to a situation whether it be in a family at home, or in your Church family. Although God made us in His own image, He made us each unique for the whole purpose of being a “Different “”Part”" of the “Body of Christ”. As is said, some make up the feet, some the eyes, some the hands and so on, until the “BODY” is finished being designed by God, and God’s whole purpose is served. It takes EVERYONE, of every kind of GIFT. So IF you find the instinct to judge others instead of embrace their differences, remember, God himself made this person the way they are. He made them with all of their differences for a unique purpose, to Glorify Him, and he has given them to YOU as a GIFT! So, instead of judging, BE THANKFUL and EMBRACE each difference in each person that the Lord sends to complete “HIS” Design. As the Creator, he knows your needs and the needs of your “Body” better than you do yourself. May you find comfort in knowing how very much the Lord loves you. He will finish the work He began in you by supplying you everything you will need. Merry Christmas and have a Blessed and Wonderful NEW YEAR. Cindy McClellan
Rosalie Stucky says:

December 7, 2009 at 8:20 am

This was an interesting devotional. How true that even though we create our own “traditions” with each addition to the family another “tradition” begins. God bless you & have a blessed true meaning Christmas. Rosalie Stucky