What Christmas "used to be".....
My mother always had box after box filled with decorations and I remember always looking forward to putting my favorite ornament on the tree, etc. There was Christmas music blaring in the background and glasses of eggnog scattered around.
The setting of the celebration took place in a home belonging to a relative and EVERYONE would be there. It seemed like the happiest time for all. We would attend midnight mass at Gethsemane Lutheran in Cicero and for some amount of years we would have rows of pews filled with family members.
After church is when Santa came to my house. (Someone would always leave church early or not attend and how I didn't catch on to that is beyond me)! We didn't grow up with a lot of money, but my family always managed to purchase the gifts on my list. I remember wanting the Barbie dream house and thinking I probably would not get it because it was expensive. Well once I saw the size of the gift, I knew that my odds were pretty good. After opening the gift with an incredible amount of excitement, the whole neighborhood probably heard me scream. It was as if I won the lottery! These are my memories of Christmas past.
My mother always had box after box filled with decorations and I remember always looking forward to putting my favorite ornament on the tree, etc. There was Christmas music blaring in the background and glasses of eggnog scattered around.
The setting of the celebration took place in a home belonging to a relative and EVERYONE would be there. It seemed like the happiest time for all. We would attend midnight mass at Gethsemane Lutheran in Cicero and for some amount of years we would have rows of pews filled with family members.
After church is when Santa came to my house. (Someone would always leave church early or not attend and how I didn't catch on to that is beyond me)! We didn't grow up with a lot of money, but my family always managed to purchase the gifts on my list. I remember wanting the Barbie dream house and thinking I probably would not get it because it was expensive. Well once I saw the size of the gift, I knew that my odds were pretty good. After opening the gift with an incredible amount of excitement, the whole neighborhood probably heard me scream. It was as if I won the lottery! These are my memories of Christmas past.
What Christmas is "now"......
People move out of homes, even out of state, get married, have children, and begin having their own traditions. I try to keep things the same as much I can. As for the decorating, my husband and I have our own tradition. We put up the decorations the Sunday after Thanksgiving and like my mother's tradition we keep Christmas music playing all day.
I still see some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins even though the number of people there has drastically changed. But sometimes I can see/feel that the atmosphere and mood has changed. People are disappointed that some couldn't make it and others like my Grandma are greatly missed.
As for midnight mass, sad to say no one attends anymore including myself. My husband and I attend a Catholic church on Christmas Day. But it's not the same without family, this is what I miss the most, and this is the true meaning of Christmas.
Now I don't want to sound like a downer. Christmas is still my favorite holiday. This year, my husband and I had a great time hosting Christmas with our immediate family, but one year I would like to extend the invitation to all.
Traditions change, but I have my memories that will last a lifetime. I wonder what Christmas future will bring?
People move out of homes, even out of state, get married, have children, and begin having their own traditions. I try to keep things the same as much I can. As for the decorating, my husband and I have our own tradition. We put up the decorations the Sunday after Thanksgiving and like my mother's tradition we keep Christmas music playing all day.
I still see some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins even though the number of people there has drastically changed. But sometimes I can see/feel that the atmosphere and mood has changed. People are disappointed that some couldn't make it and others like my Grandma are greatly missed.
As for midnight mass, sad to say no one attends anymore including myself. My husband and I attend a Catholic church on Christmas Day. But it's not the same without family, this is what I miss the most, and this is the true meaning of Christmas.
Now I don't want to sound like a downer. Christmas is still my favorite holiday. This year, my husband and I had a great time hosting Christmas with our immediate family, but one year I would like to extend the invitation to all.
Traditions change, but I have my memories that will last a lifetime. I wonder what Christmas future will bring?
