2008 Advent Calendar | Day 14 | J. M. Hochstetler
By editor on Dec 13, 2008 in Advent Calendar, Featured
Remembering to Be Faithful
When my daughters were tiny, I impulsively decided to hang candy canes on our tree on the night of Christmas Eve, while they were fast asleep. They were so excited to find the treats on the tree Christmas morning that I knew I’d come up with a very special tradition. But one Christmas I thoughtlessly came very close to letting that tradition die.
Busy with holiday preparations, I forgot to get a package of candy canes. It seemed like such a simple, unimportant thing. The girls were too old to care about my little tradition anymore, I told myself. But one evening just a couple of days before Christmas, I happened to notice my oldest daughter, Jennifer, sitting on the stairs with my youngest, Katie, happily taking in the living room, aglow with holiday decorations.
“Now, you know,” Jennifer told her little sister, “when Santa comes, he always hangs candy canes all over the tree.”
Katie’s eyes grew round. “Always?” she breathed.
“Oh, yes, always,” Jennifer assured her with the easy confidence of a child. “There will be candy canes all over the tree on Christmas morning. You’ll see.”
One look at my daughters’ faces told me that I’d better plan on a special trip to the store the very next day. On that Christmas morning and every Christmas morning since then, candy canes have adorned my Christmas tree. A simple thing, but oh, how meaningful!
Faithfully observing my family’s Christmas traditions reminds me of God’s faithfulness in giving us Jesus that very first Christmas. What could be more precious than the gift of a baby who was not only fully human, but also fully God? God came to us, not clothed in rich apparel or the might of earthly power, but in the form of a vulnerable, defenseless baby laid in the manger of a humble stable—a baby who brought us the unimaginable gift of salvation.
This Christmas, remember what is truly important. Allow God’s love to fill you to overflowing as you observe the holiday traditions that have grown dear to your family, for through these we are reminded of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. Most of all, remember the real reason why we celebrate this season: Jesus. Cherish him anew in your heart, and share his love and the good news of his coming with those you encounter each day throughout the year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. M. Hochstetler was born in central Indiana, the daughter of Mennonite farmers. Joan graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Germanic languages and was an editor with Abingdon Press for twelve years. She has published three novels: One Holy Night, a contemporary miracle story for all seasons that released in April 2008; and Daughter of Liberty and Native Son, books 1 and 2 of the American Patriot Series, set during the American Revolution. Book 3, Wind of the Spirit, will release in March 2009. Joan is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, and Historical Novels Society.
Web site: www.jmhochstetler.com
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Reading the tradition of candy canes all over the tree on Christmas morning reminded me of the tradition our family had while we were growing up. “Santa” had always filled our stockings hung over the chimney with care while “he” was there in the night. I didn’t realize how much I looked forward to that one tradition until the year my Dad had back surgery right before Christmas. My Mom had a talk with us now half grown children and said she knew we didn’t REALLY believe in Santa and knew he wasn’t real so we should not expect to have a gift from him under the tree or our stockings filled. We all agreed, knowing the finances were tight. But I got up hoping it wouldn’t actually happen that way. I can still remember the disappointment though we had agreed for it not to happen. Ah, to still remember the smell of an apple, an orange, and the nuts mingled together as we poured out the goodies from that stocking.
One thing I am thankful for is that we CAN count on God and His faithfulness. Not in just the traditions we come to practice, but in His promises and that He WILL follow through EVERY time.
Pam Williams | Dec 14, 2008 | Reply
I have the link posted
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Abi | Dec 15, 2008 | Reply