The Why's of (some) Christmas Traditions

Good morning Ladies....today is Wednesday!

We should all get EXCITED!!!

because if you are counting down...there are only 11 days 'til Christmas!

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I thought i would allow a recent book i read to inspire today's post. 

It's also helpful that it's Advent Season which helps this post.

(as a side note: Mr. Pancakes and i are plugging away at accomplishing the tasks on our Advent Calendar.)

Team Pancakes will not be decorating a christmas tree this year 

because frankly our studio is too small and it just wouldn't be the same.

Which has lead me to admire the beautifully decorated Chistmas trees online.

In doing this...i started wondering...

Why do we use Christmas trees? 

And why specifically the fir tree?

Why do we decorate our trees and homes with lights anyway?  

I LOVE Christmas for all the reasons behind it, the birth of Jesus 

and what His birth means to those who are believers. 

And it was helpful to read, Christmas is Not Your Birthday 

by Mike Slaughter, to remind me of the reason.

I struck by his insightful and thoughtfulness during the read.  

And it was also great because Mr. Slaughter helped me answer my questions.

Why we use Christmas trees? And why specifically the fir tree?

According to Slaughter, "we have adopted the practice of decorating the evergreen as a symbol of eternal life-a reminder to stay focused on things eternal."  Furthermore, the "tannenbaum (fir tree) was the only tree that didn't seem to die during the winter.  It stayed ever green."

I thought this statement was pretty insightful. 

And wow...the fir tree does remain gree throughout the harshest seasons 

just like how Jesus remains eternal in our lives throughout our harshest seasons. 

Source

Why do we decorate our trees and homes with lights?  

According to Slaughter, "candles were used to signify Christ as light of the world...before the Santa legend, Christians would place candles in their windows to welcome the Christ Child, who was looking for places where he would be invited in."

This was great because the author reminded me again the reason for the season.  

It's important to remember the "why's" of some of our Christmas traditions.  

He reminds us that Christmas is a "great time to focus on life priorities that really matter 

(faith, family, friends, service)."

When we put up our first Christmas tree and decorate it with lights and line our homes with candles,

 Slaughter reminds us to do this "to welcome the lost and lonely--and welcome Jesus himself".

Source

Sometimes as a culture, we get caught up in traditions just because that's the way it's always been done...i am realizing the importance of understanding the "why's of some traditions."  After all, one day i will have a Baby Pancakes and he will want to know, "Mommy, why can't we put lights on tree during summertime?"

Question of the Day

What are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions

 and why do you engage in them?