Saturday, December 5, 2009

Christmas traditions

As a kid, I didn't fully appreciate the traditions of Christmas. The one that sticks out in my mind the most is one that we did at my paternal grandparents' home.

My grandmother, Jean, was Polish. I was teased growing up because of this. You know, Polish people are stupid. Anyway, one thing that HAD to be done before we were allowed to eat was the breaking of the Christmas wafer (oplatek) and wishing each person health & happiness in the New Year. I know I would try to sneak pieces of oplatek prior to breaking it with family members. Just to tick her off!
It's been several years since I've spent Christmas with my grandmother and she has since passed away. No more oplatek to break at Christmastime. Now I would like to come up with our own tradition.

I would like have a Red Velvet Cake on Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ. You know - a birthday cake for Jesus. Why Red Velvet? I've read that the red cake signifies the blood He shed on the cross. The white icing signifies that our sins are washed as white as snow because of this death & resurrection.
Will we do it this year? I don't know. If we do, will it stick with my children & mean something as they grow up? I don't know. But I do hope that one day they can look back on it and remember the tradition fondly & long for those times once again.

Do you have any interesting & unique Christmas traditions?

Many blessings,
Allison

1 comment:

Willys and Elizabeth (Lizzie) said...

Hi Allison...I found your blog from the SCS website... we are "friends" on there and I sent you a RAK a while ago (Zizzie78)... anyway...I wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying reading some of your blog postings. I am going to add you to my list of blogs to look at every day.
As for traditions... I have been yearning to start some traditions... it is just me and my husband right now but Lord willing we will have children some day.
I have never heard of the red velvet cake symbolism but it sounds good...
I have really enjoyed reading the homespun heart blog for the past year and last year she did a Happy Birthday Jesus cake with layers and all... here is her link if you are interested in looking into that.
http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/2008/12/happy-birthday-jesus.html
Well I think I wrote enough for one comment... sorry it's so long.
Elizabeth