I think a part of what makes Christmas a special time is the traditions we develop as families.  I am here alone in Gainesville today until I join the family on Wednesday night.  I was thinking about Christmas and some of our peculiar family traditions.  I realized that traditions give us comfort.  I have been going through alot of change and transition lately.  I guess I am more focused than usual on tradition and the need for a little normalcy in my life.

Some Dawson Christmas traditions:

1) Our kids exchange presents to each other on Christmas Eve.  All other presents wait for Christmas morning.

2) We have Marcy's homemade vegetable soup on Christmas Eve.  I think the origins of this tradition were practical considerations.  Soup can be prepared ahead so we could all be together and not have Mom in the kitchen.  Besides everyone loves this soup.  My mother passed this recipe to my wife.

3) We watch the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life", with Jimmy Stewart during Christmas, usually on Christmas Eve.

4) Christmas morning we are up before dawn.  This one tradition I could let go, but I don't see that happening.

5) We have a big Christmas breakfast on my grandmother's good china.

I won't bore you with more, but I do want to close with this last one. The first act on Christmas morning before presents or anything else, Marcy reads us this poem she found.

It always blesses us and I hope it will bless you.  Christmas to me is the love in her voice as she reads. 

By Robin Ayscue

And watched the couple start down the path.

He knew that it was time to go

But oh – how He loved the Father so.

The Father looked down on His Only Son

As Jesus looked up to Him with such love.

"Father, the sacrifice I make today

Is to leave You here in this perfect place.

I know Your eyes will follow Me

Until I go to Calvary.

I give Myself away to You,

I will do whatever You ask Me to.

It's time for Me to fulfill the plan

That We decided when time began.

With My Blood, I will save their souls

And conquer death as You foretold.

I know that I won't be gone for long,

And I'll return to You with Redemption's Song.

Today I leave You as a Son

But when I come home, I will have WON.

And I will bring back home to You

The Ones who in their hearts are true.

Mary and Joseph are nearing the stable

It's time for Me to prove I'm able

To defeat death, hell and the grave

To finally put satan in his place.

Gabriel, open up the gate

Mary now is in great pain...

Goodbye, Father, I'll miss You so

But it's for You that I will go...

Angels, GO!  Prepare the way

For today is the very first Christmas Day."

The Father waved goodbye to His Son...

And watched the world with great love.

I would love to hear some of your Christmas traditions.  You can leave your post here.