Jonathan's Friday Five: Christmas Traditions

1. Christmas Music!

Starting November 1st (yes, November 1st!) we keep our car radio tuned to the stations playing non-stop Christmas music. This does mean two months of the year are spent listening to exclusively Christmas music and there are really only five different Christmas songs that have been covered by about ten different musicians that get played over…and over…and over…BUT, we love it. By the way, doesn’t get much better than the Nsync “Home for Christmas” album!

2. Southern Lights

What do you do with a campground during the cold winter months? Turn it into a drive-through Christmas wonderland! We start the evening at Chick-Fil-A with a peppermint milkshake (best milkshake on the planet!) and head up to Southern Lights to drive through the Christmas light display. The best display is definitely the Keeneland race horses!

3. Home Alone

We all knew the first time we watched Home Alone that it would be an instant classic! Sure enough, my kids love it! Our new tradition is to pile the whole family on the couch and watch 8-year-old Kevin McCallister take care of his home for a week, grocery shop, befriend a scary neighbor, and of course fend off the burglars!

4. Collage: A Holiday Spectacular

Each year the University of Kentucky choirs, band, and orchestra put on one of the greatest Christmas musical performances in Lexington. It has become a rich tradition for our family to get dressed up and attend the performance to enjoy the beautiful music and support our students who are performing.

5. Lessons and Carols

Our local church, Tates Creek Presbyterian, puts on an incredible Lessons & Carols service in which we read through selected passages of Scripture foretelling the birth of Christ an sing historic Christmas hymns as a way to anticipate and celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. Nothing brings us more joy and hope during the Christmas season than celebrating Immanuel, God with us!