by Lenora Reynolds

Created on: August 04, 2008

Standing up for a traditional Christmas is to reflect on what really matters in life. To be with the people you love is the most important part. Going to Mass and celebrating the birth of Jesus would be a tie for first place. To watch the expression on the face of someone who really appreciates your gift is priceless.

It appears the shopping season gets earlier and earlier and more and more commercial. There have always been early shoppers, but the non-stop commercials months in advance are a real turn off. The obvious manipulation with the must have every year driving people crazy looking for one particular item is unbelievable. Spending a lot of money on gifts, that may or may not be appreciated, and going into debt, is definitely not a good way to stress out the holiday.

Getting ready for the holidays should be filled with joy and anticipation. For many people baking cookies is a great tradition. Gathering family together at Grandma and Grandpa's house and being with relatives is a great way to see people. Especially those whom you may not see all the time. Family members and friends who live a great distance away and do not see each other often usually look forward to this time of year the most. Also Christmas Eve and Christmas have traditional meals that go back generations. It is a wonderful way for people to connect with their family past by bringing it into the present.

Shopping is fun as long as no one gets carried away. Decorating the tree and the house is a great family activity. Christmas music is everywhere and great for putting people in the mood. It seems every recording artist out there has at least one Christmas collection on CD. Most of the music listened to however are usually the oldie but goodies.

It is getting easier and easier to bring our pets into the celebration. There are stockings and gifts for dogs and cats. Special clothing is available so dogs and cats can show off their fashion style. After all they are members of the family too.

It seems that people are nicer and friendlier at this time of year. There are less frowns and more smiles. People will say hello and Merry Christmas to other people they don't even know sharing the good feelings they have. People are more courteous and more apt to hold doors open. This is part of the tradition that I absolutely love.

The traditional Christmas is all about Jesus, faith, and one of the most important things of all which is love. To share that with family and the faith community at Mass is a wonderful experience.

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