Christmas Traditions

Seeing as today is Christmas Eve, I thought I'd share a few of the traditions we have started in our little family.

First, I like to make caramel popcorn and give it to our neighbors and friends.

First pop 2 bags of buttered popcorn and weed out kernals-set aside

1/4 Cup butter
1 Cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
Mix together in a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat then stir in
2/3 cup sweetened condenced milk
Simmer until mixture balls up when a drop is placed in water
Stir in 1/2 tsp. of vanilla
Pour over popped popcorn while hot and stir til popcorn is coated well.

Next we like to read the story "Teach The Children" on Christmas Eve. Its kind of long, so I won't post the whole thing. But basically this man in the story gets a visit from santa who tells him to teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Santa explains what all things Christmas represent:

FIR TREE-The pure green color stays green all year round depicting the everlasting hope of mankind.
STAR-God promised a Savior to the world, and the star was the sign of fullfilment of that promise.
CANDLE-symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world and when we see the candlelight we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.
WREATH-eternal nature of love. Love never ceases, love is one continuous round of affection.
SANTA-symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the Christmas season.
HOLLY LEAF-represents immortality. Represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The berries represent the blood that was shed by Him.
GIFTS-God so loved the world that he GAVE His only begotten son. Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift. Also represents the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the shepards who knelt before him. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men.
CANDY CANE-like a shepard's staff, it helps bring lost sheep back to the fold. It is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.
ANGEL-it was angels who heralded in the the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang "glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and goodwill toward men."
BELL-lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell. Likewise it should bring men back to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

At the end of the story Santa turn to the man and says, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and to not put me at the center. I am but a humble servant of the one that is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

(If you want a copy of the entire story I can email it to you.) After reading the story we usually get to pick 1 present from our Grandparents to open before settling down for the night.

We usually follow the tradition in Clint's family by having a nice roast dinner with red cabbage and then rice pudding for dessert. But this year we are frying a turkey. Which may possibly become a new tradition, or maybe not, we'll see.

We hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and have the chance, in all the hustle and bustle, to feel the spirit of Christ in your life and remember Him in your holiday celebrations.