Christmas Blog Bash 2013 -- Christmas Traditions

I and some friends are all posting about different aspects of Christmas!  Then we're putting links to the others blogs.

There are many different traditions that each family do every year for Christmas. Here are some of the ones that my family and I do:
     One of my favorite traditions that we started last year is reading an advent book  We read Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide last year, and then we read Tabitha's Travels, which is by the same author, this year.  They are exciting books about the adventures of Jotham and Tabitha, and how each of them get to Bethlehem to see the birth of Jesus.  Each day, from the first Sunday in December to Christmas Day, Mom  reads a section aloud.  Ellen and I always can't wait to hear what happens next!
     We also try to read another Christmas book each day.  Some of our favorites are: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (Mom's will need to read and edit some), The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden and Barbara Cooney, and The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski.
     Each year we like to participate in a couple service projects.  In the past we've: done Operation Christmas Child and helped at the drop off center here in Omaha, rang bells for the Salvation Army, caroled at a nursing home with our Bright Lights group, and bought Christmas gifts for a family with our church group.
     I always enjoy buying a real Christmas tree and decorating it as we listen to Christmas music!  Christmas music is also such a special part of Christmas!
     In December we always prepare for our annual Christmas recital.
     Every year we make ginger bread cookies, and Ellen and I like to frost them while Mom and Dad go out shopping. :-)  (There are pictures of them and the recipe on Ellen's blog.)
     I also enjoy seeing all the Christmas cards we receive from family and friends!
     We usually go over to our grandpa and grandma's (on my mom's side) on Christmas Eve, and  then have a fun time eating dinner, opening gifts, and spending time together.
     Then on Christmas Day we go over to Grandma V's where there is a large gathering with most of our aunts, uncles, and cousins on Dad's side. 
     These are just some of the traditions that we do each Christmas season.  My favorite parts of Christmas are the fun times with family and friends! 
      I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Here are the links to the other blogs participating in the Christmas Blog Bash:
Ellen's blog
Spencer's Blog
Justin's blog
Caleb's blog