I LOVE Christmas. Yeah, I know it’s about the birth of Christ. That's important. We can’t lose sight of that. But I also LOVE the family traditions that come with it. Our family traditions? Hunting down a REAL Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Stringing popcorn. Making hard candy. The Christmas movie marathon on Christmas Eve, which includes It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas. And reading the Christmas story. Mom and Dad, a lot can get in the way of a merry Christmas. Death, sickness, divorce—you name it. But do everything possible to keep the joy alive. No, we’re not always happy, but there’s ALWAYS joy in Jesus whether you’re missing somebody or not. Our kids need to see it. 

Suggested Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Luke 2:13-14