The Hunnicutt Homestead

Memory Tree and Community

Our bellies are full, our tree is up and our fires are burning bright.  We are excited for Christmas, cold weather, and the fun of our traditions.

Yesterday was spent rearranging furniture to try and make room for our Christmas tree.  I haven't necessarily been able to trim up the house in the way I would like to fully imagine.  I don't have a wreath or lights around each and every window, nor do I have beautiful centerpieces or garland within the house or on the mantles.  At least I know that I would not want my tree to look any other way.  I will take my tree of memories over any fancy, impersonal color coordinated tree at the department store any day!

Once again, most of our ornaments are towards the bottom half of the tree, those places where it is easier for the children to reach.  The kids seem to relish discussing the memory or meaning behind each ornament.  I think they love being able to participate in a family activity that is so special without being told, "No, you're too little", or receiving some type of correction.

The excitement in their eyes as they view each ornament from the past is contagious.  M and D were thrilled to see their "baby" picture ornaments from their first Christmas with us as a family.  N was very proud to hang each of his own making from every year prior to this.  "I've made the most!" he boasted.  C was able to help prepare and set the tree up prior to decorating.  Until now he was eager but in the way.  One thing still remains- C still begs to eat really old stale candy canes that we have kept from previous years!

M & D love babies so it was no surprise to hear them arguing over which of them would hang each and every "baby Jesus".  After each was hung they immediately went into the preschool version of "Away in a Manger" complete with motions.  How funny that the birth of Christ can cause so much dissension and unity in a 5 minute span!

We are mulling over the idea of having a Christmas party at our home with a few of the neighbors and friends we have met here this year.  I love the idea of having a roaring fire in the dining room, roasting chestnuts, having a kettle of apple cider and coming up with a few old fashioned parlor games to play.  I get the impression that for many people, parties are mostly limited to office parties, some school parties, but not the kind of true community or fellowship parties.  People are so busy these days that the school or work life they are involved in has become their community, replacing deep meaningful friendships as well as an escape from the many family stresses or responsibilities we all face.  I'm hoping that by opening our home people actually enjoy themselves and relax here.  I'm also hoping to slowly build a community for ourselves.

Unlike many families, we don't pretend to be Santa for our kids on Christmas by giving gifts "from Santa", etc.  Our kids know who Saint Nicholas was and why so many other families choose to play Santa.  S & I have chosen to focus on Christ as our giver of good gifts.  However, as Saint Nick dropped money and good things into the stockings warming by the fire of those who were poverty stricken in his day,  out of his love for God, we have hung a stocking upon our mantle with the intention of blessing someone else as a family.  We prayed together as a family asking the Lord to help show us whom He would like for us to help this Christmas.  As different ideas come to each of us, we write them down and put them in the stocking.  After two weeks we will review them together and decide what and how we can help.  We are excited to play Santa to someone who might actually need a Saint Nick at this stressful time of year.

Merry Christmas a month early!