For me, the traditions of Christmas have changed a great deal since I was a young boy. Some of those changes are simply the result of age and the changes that come to our life as we grow older.
While once I participated in the church program at Pansy Chapel (the church I attended as a child) and at Elmdale School where I attended Elementary, today that tradition has changed to one of spectator as I watch my son in his Christmas recitals and programs. As a child I went to bed on Christmas Eve with the anticipation of what might be under the tree the next day, and now, like many parents, I spend that time wrapping gifts with anticipation of seeing my son’s reaction on Christmas morning.
Often new traditions are added into our lives as a result of marriage and we learn the traditions that other families celebrate. That has been my experience as I now look forward to the traditions that my wife Kim’s family celebrate during Christmas.
Some new traditions have been added to my Christmas since I’ve become the MLA for the Steinbach Constituency and as the constituency has changed over the years. I’m fortunate to be able to attend many events at this time of the year and as our community has grown, many of these events are hosted by new Canadians.
Attending Christmas celebrations for newcomers to our area, whether from Germany or the Philippines or many other countries, has become a relatively new tradition for my family. We have enjoyed greatly seeing how different cultures celebrate Christmas.
But as our lives change there are sometimes things that happen that interrupt these celebrations. Illness or the loss of a loved one reminds us that traditions often revolve around certain people. For that reason, Christmas can feel like an especially difficult time of year when a loved one is gone or is suffering from illness. We know that many will be feeling that loss this year and we pray for comfort and peace for you and your families.
We can have peace in the knowledge that as much as we enjoy them, Christmas really isn’t about traditions at all but about the birth of Jesus Christ. And there is comfort in knowing that as much as things may change throughout our lives, the essential message of Christmas hasn’t changed since the first Christmas. It is still, even after all these years, about hope and peace.
As you celebrate your family traditions, and regardless of what this year has brought with it, may the hope that is Christmas and the peace that it brings fill your home and your heart. Together with my wife Kim and son Malachi we wish you a very blessed Christmas.
