The 25 Days Of Christmas

So there I was, 3 or so years ago, scratching my head, wondering why it was that Christmas wasn't quite the way it was when I was a Liberty Elementary School Leopard. Back in those days, we'd practice for our school Christmas concerts, make paper chains (advent chains) counting down the days to Christmas, even playing with dreidels and learning about Hanukah from Mrs. Rubel.

At home we'd be decorating for what seemed to be weeks. Piling into the family car, driving out into the forest, trudging into the muddy snow, and exercising every Oregonian's God-given right to chop down a tree, getting home, kicking off the moon boots (only to have the foam insulation stay on the foot like socks), decorating the tree, staring at the wrapped gifts under the tree while listening to Bing belt out some carols.

Ahhh, those were the days. But days long gone, I thought. Why was that? Was the magic somehow gone because I grew up? Has Christmas become too commercialized? I rejected those arguments not only because they were too easy, but because they have been the laments of ages past. So, why was it?

While reveling in childhood memories, it occurred to me that when I was a kid, every day in December seemed to be a Christmas-oriented day. At school, at home, at church; one way or another, I was doing something Christmassy every day.

So, I adopted what I call the 25 Days of Christmas. Each day in December I will take a few minutes (at least) to do something specific to Christmas. Reading A Christmas Carol, chopping down a tree, baking some Christmas cookies for my neighbors, whatever. Something.

I was floored by how successful my first 25 Days of Christmas was. It was as if all of my childhood Christmases were brought back to me as an adult. And I am resolved that this will be one family tradition (in my new family) that will stick.

I challenge all of you to do this (starting when you read this blog), and see this Christmas become one of the most memorable of your adult life to date. You can't skip a day. You have to do something. Write a card, read Luke 2, something. But do it every day, and you will look back at Christmas 2009 as the year you got your Christmases back.

All the best, and Merry Christmas.

Here are the Advent Chains (is that what you call them?) that we made on December 1, 2009.