The Christmas Story Tradition

Today Erin and Amber want to hear about everyones Favorite Christmas Traditions. 

This is one I hold near and dear to my heart and it just doesn't feel like Christmas if it doesn't happen.

Let me start out by asking you, what is the One most important thing that makes Christmas possible?

Yep, you guessed it -- Jesus!! Without that little Mr. in the manger we would have nothing to celebrate! December 25 would just be December 25, another day of the week and nothing else.

Source

Christmas with my Dad's family was always filled with a lot of people but it was bound to be when we are talking about a family of 9 and everyone still lived in the area! Yep, you read that correctly, my dad grew up with 5 brothers and 1 sister {my poor Aunt and Grandma with all those boys} all of whom now have a spouse and at least one child; are you doing the math…Our family celebrations are huge! 

Anyway, I just wanted to give you a little background and an idea of how large my immediate family of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins is. Now ever since I can remember this was something we did at every Christmas with my dad's family. Before we could even think about opening presents we had to read The Christmas Story. Now, the best part is someone new got to read it every year. 

Starting with the oldest, the aunts and uncles took turns reading the story, then the cousins, year after year a different person but the same words, those wonderful words that never change. The words describing Our Savior's Birth!! 

I was so excited {and nervous} the year it was my turn to read the story. I couldn't even tell you how many times my Dad went over it with me before that night, but it was a lot! Making sure all the names were pronounced correctly, helping me to understand what I was saying as a read those very important words.  

I love love love this tradition. I know it is something we will pass on, something that our children will grow up hearing every Christmas before we open gifts. A time to remember the Reason for the Season. A story to give you goosebumps, and bring tears to your eyes. A story with Shepherds and Angels. A story about the most important little Mr. to ever be born!!

Source

Luke

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days la decree went out from mCaesar Augustus that all the world should be nregistered. 2 This was the first nregistration when1Quirinius owas governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up pfrom Galilee, from the town ofqNazareth, to Judea, to rthe city of David, which is called sBethlehem, tbecause he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,2 who was with child. 6 And twhile they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son anduwrapped him in swaddling cloths and vlaid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in wthe inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord xappeared to them, and ythe glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all zthe people. 11 For aunto you is born this day in bthe city of David ca Savior, who is dChrist ethe Lord.12 And fthis will be a sign for you: you will find a baby gwrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel ha multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 i“Glory to God jin the highest,

jand on earth kpeace lamong those with whom he is pleased!”3

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby mlying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But nMary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, oglorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.