Really, you don’t celebrate that holiday? Aren’t your kids missing out?
Since I was a little girl, and my parents informed me of the pagan origins of certain holidays considered to be Christian, I have had no heart or desire to celebrate those days in the traditional way.
So my family has never had a Christmas tree, never given presents on Dec 25th, never hidden & hunted for Easter eggs, never dressed up in costumes and trick or treated.
(And lest you think I judge those who do – I want to make it clear that I firmly believe that a relationship with Christ is far more important than obeying some outward rule. My family doesn’t celebrate those holidays because, for us, we lose the Lord’s smile within us if we do. I don’t make the assumption that He has spoken to everyone the same, so I really have no place to make any judgments, and I don’t.)
Some might think, “Oh, but your children are missing out! Don’t they feel deprived?” Well, no, not really. When our children were very young, on Dec 25th, or Easter, or Halloween, we would sit down in the living room and have a family meeting during which we would read the origins of that particular holiday and would explain why we don’t celebrate it. Our kids ‘got it’ immediately. We repeated this each time we had another child reach the age of 5 or 6. For us, it became a time to re-consecrate ourselves as a family to love and serve the Lord.
About 2 years ago, my eldest son, Nathan, suggested that since we only celebrate Thanksgiving each year, we should celebrate that holiday multiple times. At the time, I thought it was a good idea, but couldn’t see how, with our busy schedules, we would manage to do it.
Last year, after Nathan died, I remembered his suggestion and decided it was time to make time. So, we set the dates to celebrate Thanksgiving four times. Our first Thanksgiving was on the same day the rest of the country celebrates it. Our second was on the weekend before New Year’s. Our third was supposed to be during Spring Break, but I couldn’t find anyone free to come, so it didn’t happen – we may try again on the date others celebrate Halloween.
Our next Thanksgiving is scheduled for June 11 – Nathan’s birthday. Since I wasn’t sure if that day might be a hard one for c.b. and me, I felt it appropriate to open our home and fill it with friends (& family if they aren’t too busy). It will be a wonderful day and we will create new, happy memories.
Already, my boys love this new tradition and we look forward to solidifying and refining it in the years to come.
So, we are now the “Four Thanksgivings a Year Family”. What quirky tradition does your family have?