by Debby Giusti
Each Christmas Eve, my family gathers around the tree and manger as my husband reads the Nativity Story from Luke’s gospel. Then we process through the house, carrying the baby Jesus, and knock on our closed bedroom doors that symbolize the times we have closed our hearts to the Lord. As we process, we sing Silent Night until, at last, we end up in front of the crèche and place the tiny baby in the manger. There we join hands, offer thanks for the past year and pray for God’s blessings in the year ahead.
That tradition is part of our family story, part of who we are and how we embrace Christ’s birth each year. I know all of you have traditions that are part of your family story as well.
Just as with scripture, our own stories are important. Our successes and failures, our struggles and joys reveal God’s mercy and love. In sharing our stories we better understand how the past shapes the present and gives meaning to the future, and that understanding draws us closer together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
This year, I encourage you to pick a person, perhaps someone you’d like to know better, meet for coffee and swap stories. I’m sure you’ll be richly blessed because of your sharing.
I hope you'll also share your Christmas stories with us today. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all God's blessings in the New Year,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com
11 comments:
I love that book and the blog.
What a wonderful tradition you have as a family.
I love the advice about picking someone to get to know better this Christmas.Thanks
I just wanted to say that every one of you guys ara an inspiration to me. I am an aspring fiction author. for a long time, I struggled with trying to figure out what to write. I've always thought I had to write like all those "other" lewd romance writers out there (not that there's anything wrong with their novels). Then one day it came to me, I should write what i know. What I know is Christian fiction. And I've come to realise that good clean romance love stories are just as, if not more, enjoyable than those other books out there.
What a wonderful tradition. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!
I love family traditions.
Beautiful Family Tradition, Debby. Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Family traditions = LOVE!
Merry Christmas to you and your family Debby! And to all the peeps in Seekerville. :)
This is a good post! Every year my family puts out the Nativity Scene outside the house. It's a good reminder of what Christmas is all about. I hope you and your family has a wonderful Christmas!!
What a wonderful idea...getting together with another person and getting to know them better. I already have several persons in mind that I now plan to meet with for a chit-chat. Our daily lives fly by so fast that we are prone to not take the time to visit with others. You have prodded me to do better. Thanks!
A blessed Christmas to you!
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