Traditions and the Six Wise Men

The holiday season is here along with all the excitement, hustle and bustle and decorations.  The little ones get so excited at our house about the little decorating we do (a string of white lights on our ficus tree, nativity set and a winter village).  

Interestingly enough, I found out this year how much our little traditions have meant to my daughter.  For instance, I usually try to send out a Christmas picture and newsletter.  I’m not planning to this year and Serenity has expressed her disappointment a few times.  Believe me, I didn’t think anyone would miss doing a Christmas picture.  They’re usually not too fun and that’s an understatement!  I feel this way by the end of our picture sitting  and my kids feels this way.  But me dear girl misses it.  Who’d have thought?

A little thing I started many years ago when our three oldest boys were small was to use my nativity set to tell them the story of Jesus.  Afterwards, they became little "wise men" and had to search for baby Jesus.  I took baby Jesus from the manger scene and would hide him in various places.  To make it a little easier I would tell them if they were hot or cold.

We did it again this year and for nostalgia sake I had all the kids ‘dress’ as wise men (just a turban) rather than just the little ones.

  This photograph is somewhat representative of what I go through to get a family photo.  We have the kid who’s there just to humor mom, the goof-offs,  some that pose perfectly, unhappy ones and then Audrey (2yo) who thinks when I say "Smile" it means she’s supposed to close her eyes along with a smile. 

The situation slides into chaos as some decide they’ve hAD ENough!!  

Order is restored and all pose nicely (a stretch, I admit), except… wait!  What happened to my girl who always poses perfectly.  Agh!

May each of you have a blessed and memorable Christmas with your families.

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