Years ago when our family moved from the Christian West to the Christian East, we made friends with some families that celebrated Christmas on Jan. 7.
Some of these friends celebrated only on Jan. 7 and some celebrated on Dec. 25 and Jan. 7. Sometimes we celebrated with them, a Christmas with family and a Christmas with friends.
Gradually, we incorporated Jan. 7 as ours, especially after my youngest daughter Rebekah was born on Jan. 7 (making her 24 years old today).
The idea behind the switch was less about the present and more about the future. As the children grew up, married, and had children and families of their own, moving our celebration as an immediate family would give them the freedom to celebrate the popular date with their new families, incorporating their traditions and starting their own, while also allowing them to celebrate as a unit with their siblings.
Through the years, Dec. 25 became the date we celebrated with extended family. And Jan. 7 became the "siblings all together under one roof" Christmas.
But why Jan. 7? The answer is explained in this story I wrote for today's Herald-News.
http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/01/04/72fa64f0ec884df98d8817c50dd03f2e/index.xml
Whenever and however you celebrate, what's most important, I think, is that you celebrate.
Christ is born! Let us glorify Him!
Some of these friends celebrated only on Jan. 7 and some celebrated on Dec. 25 and Jan. 7. Sometimes we celebrated with them, a Christmas with family and a Christmas with friends.
Gradually, we incorporated Jan. 7 as ours, especially after my youngest daughter Rebekah was born on Jan. 7 (making her 24 years old today).
The idea behind the switch was less about the present and more about the future. As the children grew up, married, and had children and families of their own, moving our celebration as an immediate family would give them the freedom to celebrate the popular date with their new families, incorporating their traditions and starting their own, while also allowing them to celebrate as a unit with their siblings.
Through the years, Dec. 25 became the date we celebrated with extended family. And Jan. 7 became the "siblings all together under one roof" Christmas.
But why Jan. 7? The answer is explained in this story I wrote for today's Herald-News.
http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/01/04/72fa64f0ec884df98d8817c50dd03f2e/index.xml
Whenever and however you celebrate, what's most important, I think, is that you celebrate.
Christ is born! Let us glorify Him!
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