Merry Christmas! Christmas is a time when we can spend meaningful hours and days with family and friends as we resurrect older family traditions and memories while we create new ones for the future. In my home, our family, both near and far, gather together to watch our favorite Christmas movies as we build collapsing gingerbread houses and bake tons of Christmas treats! Festivities continue on from first light until the day comes to an end. Here are three local families who’ve also decided to share their precious Christmas memories and traditions with us!
Senator Lee and Donna Anderson
Every year on Christmas Eve, our family would gather, and this always included Lee’s mom and dad! Even after Lee’s mom passed away, Lee’s dad came over for every Christmas, and every year he would tell the kids the story of Christmas by heart, scripture by scripture. Everyone would hang on his every word, and you could hear a pin drop. It would end with the most wonderful prayer and the kids would dress as the three wise men. That was the heart of our Christmases. He passed away in 2009 but continued that up until 2008. It was just so special to us!
Jason Ross
Since we have no family that lives in Augusta, we’ve always spent Christmas traveling to spend time with family. However, last year, we stayed home and celebrated Christmas, so the kids were able to see what Santa brought to THEIR house. The children excitedly played, and I didn’t have to worry about packing up presents to get them back to our house. On top of that, since the temperature was below freezing, I was also able to turn on a sprinkler and create a sheet of ice for the kids to play on. It was truly a wonderful Christmas!
Rushton and Mandy Metzler
One of our Christmas traditions was passed down from my mother. On Christmas Eve, we read our children the story of Jesus's birth all while cozied up in our pajamas in candlelight with our favorite snacks. The kids always participate! When Mary and Joseph plead with the innkeeper, the kids shout, “no room in the inn!". The room fills with barn animal noises and flashing lights, as angels bring the good news to Shepherds. The kids then pick one present to open early, representing gifts the wise men brought to baby Jesus. It's everyone's favorite part! The evening usually ends with singing by the piano and sharing why we are thankful for Jesus birth. It's a way for us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.