Time for Reflection and Traditions

The holidays are also like that-get out the old decorations, look through old photos, and just remember what it used to be like. We have had many traditions throughout the years, some came and stayed for awhile, others took permanent root.

This weekend we cleaned and cleaned and cleaned as we tried to get some rooms together and get some much needed stuff put away. We don't have a place for everything (the remodel) so stuff tends to pile up all over the place (about drives me nuts). There are moments when I HAVE TO put it somewhere. This weekend was that time.

I picked up a classified ad on Thursday and browsed through it...found a lateral file for sale, and I called immediately. I was so excited. I had been looking for one of those and pricing them-a bit pricey new. This one I got for $30, and it is perfect. We painted, put together the day bed, washed curtains, touched up walls and baseboards, and organized. Yay-organization! The office looks great, might I say myself, and the living room is about together too. I haven't unpacked everything, but it is getting there.

Steve brought in the Christmas tree, put it up, and plugged it in. It is working except for a strand of lights..hmm...asked Steve if he could figure that one out-we will see. We had family over yesterday for a dinner, and I was talking to my sister-in-law. Last year, her and I decorated this tree together. I asked her if she wanted to do that again which prompted a discussion about baby Jesus.

Years and years and years ago, I got this fabric nativity set. I read about holiday traditions and one had talked about hiding baby Jesus from the nativity set to re-enforce the need for us to be looking for Jesus every day. We started doing that when the kids were all at home. Sometimes they (the kids) hid it very well! Daniel would really come up with some hiding places (I think it was him that hid Jesus in an a/c vent!). We have kept up that tradition every year. People who come over start randomly flipping over couch cushions, looking under books, behind shelves, etc...to find baby Jesus. The rule is, if you find him, you have to rehide him. The last one to hide him before Christmas puts him back in the manger on Christmas morning.

We missed last year because of the construction. We are far from done with the construction, but the house is certainly more livable (no more open studs). Next week, Kat and I are going to get down the Christmas decorations, sort through all that stuff so she can take hers with her, separate those that need to go to Daniel and Robert, and find baby Jesus. We aren't doing much in the way of gifts this year for Christmas, but really...not about "stuff," about Jesus.

Really thankful for family traditions, for opportunities to make a difference in lives, for sweet memories....and I wonder, which traditions have my children adopted in their own lives?