@bethvogt
Some things become treasured family traditions without any planning on our part.
In 1988, when my husband was a family physician in the military, Uncle Sam declared, “I want YOU to be stationed in Turkey for two years!”
What Uncle Sam decrees, he gets. And off we went, with a newborn, a two-year-old, and a five-year-old. Travel back and forth from Turkey to the U.S. was an arduous 22-hour plane flight with multiple stops along the way.
A few months later we we were faced with celebrating Christmas thousands of miles away from family and friends. We tried to uphold as many normal holiday traditions as possible. We trimmed a small Christmas tree and shopped at the base exchange for presents for the kiddos. Our family back in the States overwhelmed the base post office with presents for the kiddos too – so much so that the postal staff learned our names and greeted us whenever we came by to check on our mail delivery.
One day, we received a package from the Clarks, close friends who’d attended a couples’ Bible study with us during Rob’s medical residency. Inside was a Precious Moments snow globe highlighting the image of a little child standing on tiptoe to put a Christmas card in a mailbox. Written on the base of the snow globe are the words: “I’m Sending You A White Christmas.”
I showed the gift to our three young children, who were fascinated with how the “snowflakes” fell whenever I shook the globe. For days, they asked me to show them the globe. Come January, I packed the gift away until Christmas came ‘round again the next year – our second, and final, Christmas overseas.
As the years passed, the snow globe was eagerly anticipated when we unpacked the Christmas decorations and then carefully packed away with the ornaments and stockings. Our children understood how special this snow globe was – and our grandchildren, who are just as enchanted with it, have learned the same thing. And as they grow up, they’ll also learn the story of how our dear friends sent this gift across the miles to remind us that we were loved and missed our first Christmas overseas.
With the passing of years, the snow globe is a bit worn. The water level is a bit lower than it was when I first unpacked it in base housing, still wondering what our first Christmas in Turkey would be like. At some point, the little figure may very well be above water. But the gift is even more precious with its imperfections. And yes, our friendship with the Clarks has survived the years and the miles too – the most wonderful gift of all.
What traditions do you treasure? Were they planned or unexpected?
Treasuring an Unexpected Holiday Tradition #gratitude #Christmas Share on X 'Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.' #quote by Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister #traditions #Christmas Share on X
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Comments 4
Traditions shrank to fade away
as life became too fast,
but the meaning of the Day
always seemed to last
through visscitutes of bankruptcy,
and cancer’s killing frost,
a vision of eternity,
the hope that all’s not lost,
for in the heart the Magis’ quest
still warmed us, true and bright,
that in the manger they’d find rest
for the world’s dark endless night
in the quiet gentle sounds
of the sleeping Babe, beasts gathered ’round.
Author
Thank you for highlighting the the Truth of Christmas in your words, Andrew.
Praying for you, my friend.
Beth, this was beautiful. After eight or so years of traveling for Christmas, a lot of our traditions have been lost. And, with our sons being almost adults now, those traditions would probably feel childish to them now. One thing I have maintained is making a special breakfast. So, breakfast pizza will be served on our table Christmas morning.
Author
Jeanne: One thing I learned is that my children remember our trips together more than the things we gave them through the years. So many wonderful memories were made during our travels. And breakfast pizza? Sounds like a yummy tradition!