Despite what some students may think, the Christmas season does not kick off until after November 28, which marks this year’s Thanksgiving Day. That being said, we are very close to the season of giving, and it is a cause for both celebration and remembrance. All of the glitz and glamour of the holiday season is very fun, but it is also important to remember its source, which is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. On that front, each person has their special manner of celebrating the season, both its secular elements and its religious elements, with a bounty of special traditions that carry meaning for everyone.
Christmas traditions of the more secular variation typically take the form of the decorations we put up, the types of gifts we give, or even special shopping trips to celebrate the season. These are often thought of as fun or enjoyable and nothing more, but they are always a welcome distraction from some troubles people may have during this time of the year. In addition to that, sometimes people’s traditions are a result of the spiritual side of Christmas leaking into the more secular areas. When asking some students what their favorite traditions are, SNU student Bailey Cauley expressed how her favorite tradition is her family getting three gifts for each other, “mirroring the three gifts Jesus got when he was born.” These are always fun things to do during the holidays as we all continue to make memories with our family and friends, and they can even contain reminders of why we celebrate the 25th of December.
When thinking about the Christmas traditions of SNU, it may carry a significant spiritual weight. This can exist in many different ways, whether it be through a reading of scripture, attending a special Christmas Eve chapel, or even something playful like Advent calendars. When talking to SNU student Alec Danley, he expressed that solidifying that this season is “first and foremost a spiritual celebration” is incredibly important to him and his family. In addition to that, he said that before they opened presents, they spent time in prayer and took time to read Luke 2, which is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. That is something that my family and I take the time to do as well, and it is a very important reminder of why all of this pageantry is happening in the first place.
Christmas time, as much as it is a time of celebration, is primarily a time of reflection. These traditions are made to make memories and remember the story of Jesus Christ and how God sent him down to live amongst us and show us the way to live. No matter what they are, these traditions are special to each and every one of us and, personally, I cannot wait to begin Christmas traditions with my family this upcoming season.
Photo by: Jacob Mash