Traditional Spontaneity

Something I've learned to appreciate over the years (it used to drive me crazy) is the lack of Christmas traditions in the Keele family.  Oh we do all the iconic Christmas things, but as to when, what order, and how it's done...completely different every year.  And this year, I think it finally hit me that I love that about my family.  Christmas isn't "ruined" if we open presents a day or two early (although I'm still pretty hard-core about opening them no-earlier than Christmas eve, and preferably Christmas).  Sometimes we read the Christmas story before we open presents, sometimes later.  Sometimes one person hands out all the presents to each person until everyone has their pile.  The one rule we've always stuck to, thanks to Mom, is that we have to open them one at a time, NOT all at once!  This year was the most random distribution yet.  In no particular order, someone would get up and pick out one present for someone else, and then that person would open it.  No youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest this year.  I think what I've realized is that spontaneity is no less meaningful than tradition--because the only tradition that matters is that we're together.

Here are a few things you WILL find at our house around Christmas:
-big breakfasts (biscuits and gravy will be served at least once, and grits will show up sometime too)
-other big meals (it can vary, but never Asian food)
-someone repeating a line my brother used when he got a remote-control truck when he was little: "You gotta twy it!"
-another line from our childhood video tapes: "It's just what I always wanted!"
-Christmas music
-tea and hot chocolate
-Christmas snacks and cookies, thanks to generous church members :)
-laughter and memory-sharing
-sparkling juice
-cards from Dad stuck in the Christmas tree
-staying up late and sleeping in
-driving around to see Christmas lights
-trip to Collegedale to visit the rellies, with more good food
-Mom trying to open presents early or trying to peek
-several Mac laptops scattered around the living room

A few things you will NOT find at our house around Christmas:
-arguing about religion or politics
-super fancy or time-consuming meals
-opening presents all at the same time
-stockings...even when we bring them out, we never use them
-that's all I can think of right now :)

I'm thankful for Christmas, my family, and our tradition of non-traditions.  And for Jesus' entrance into our world to live an unexpected life full of purposeful spontaneity.