by Mary Cropp

Advent is all about joyful expectation, yet the relentless secularization of Christmas tends to focus attention on crass commercialism rather than the Reason for the Season. With that in mind, the Bethany staff and Session were recently asked about the traditions they use to make Christmas meaningful in their own lives. Here are some ideas they shared:

• In our nativity scene, Baby Jesus does not arrive in the manger until Christmas day. Throughout Advent, the three wise men travel though the house and arrive at the manger on the 12th day of Christmas. They do not get to stay long however, before they turn around and head back to the east. Alexander has served as their shepherd in recent years, moving them a little each day. -- Brian Beaumont
• When the kids were younger we would ask them what toy they wanted for Christmas, and why. Then we would help them earn enough money to buy it and give the toy away to a toy drive or angel tree. The kids learned the joy of giving when they gave away what they really wanted. -- Janet Moore
• On Christmas day we always have an angel food cake with birthday candles and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. As a kid, it helped me remember what the day really was about. Now as an adult, Christmas isn’t complete without singing to Jesus and having that piece of angel food cake! -- Sylvia Lidell
• We open our stockings on St. Nicholas Day (December 6 th).we put the St. Nicholas stuff away, and prepare for the birth of Christ. This way, the traditions can still be enjoyed, but they don’t get in the way of the true reason for Christmas. -- Jill Bell

For many, the fellowship of others is central to a meaningful season:

• When I was single and living in Washington D.C., my roommate and I had an annual tradition of reading the Christmas story in the morning, then going on a long “prayer walk” along the C&O Canal. On that walk, we would give thanks to God, and would pray for each other, our friends, families, and the world. This walk was always the highlight of our Christmas day. -- Dianne Ross
• We host an annual Christmas caroling party where we invite neighbors over for cider, appetizers and desserts, then carol around the neighborhood (mainly singing songs about Jesus). -- Christy Mansfield
• Growing up in the highly social and caring culture of the Philippines, for the month prior to Christmas, carolers would begin coming to our door, Christmas music would be playing everywhere, and neighbors would host get-togethers. -- Gail Beran Neils
• For the past few years, our home group has walked around Greenlake on the night in December when the luminarias are lit. -- Marie Fritzberg

Finally, for some there is an intentional disconnect from the frenetic pace and consumer pressure of the season:

• This year we are attempting to make most of our gifts, so that they are expressions of our creativity. -- Linda Cutshall
• We try to keep the busy-ness minimal by not sending Christmas cards, not shopping much, starting the shopping early (sometimes October!), trying not to bake too many batches of cookies, etc., so we can bless people in non-material ways. We try to think about what Jesus would want for a birthday present. -- Phil Mote