Bring Back Big Families

As Catholics, we believe the liturgical Christmas season begins on Christmas Day with the season of Advent preceding it. But for this dad, Christmas begins after Santa shows up at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade at the absolute earliest. No pre-thanksgiving Christmas nonsense here. Thanksgiving deserves to shine on its own.

Even then, Christmas usually really begins for me on Black Friday. I usually get my lights and decorations on the house that day or, if I get behind, on Saturday, like I did this year.

Even still, in my mind, Christmas really actually kicks off in my mind today, December 6th, St. Nicholas’s feast day. I can always remember as a kid getting a small something in my stocking at home from St. Nick and my grandmother bringing us whatever treats he left for us in our stocking at her house. I’m not sure why he stopped there, too, but I guess it was because we were such great kids that he couldn’t just leave us one surprise!

When I started having kids, I’m so glad St. Nick decided to keep bringing gifts to my children. It’s a beautiful tradition. As such, their stockings made their way out this week, as their old man fought the fake Christmas tree (I’ll post about my fake Christmas tree qualms one day, I promise) and the ever-malfunctioning lights last night in preparation for his visit. The tree, and especially the lights, put up a great fight. But I would not be denied my victory. And it was sweet in the end.

My son’s announcement of, “Oh, we better get to bed so St. Nick can come and visit,” was the true icing on the Christmas cookie. Early bedtime? You got it!

And so they did. They tucked in and (most of them) slept and awoke to candy canes and ring pops in their stocking and Lego ornaments under the tree.

And with St. Nick’s annual visit, Christmas has officially begun in our house!

Even though it’s a little early, Merry Christmas to all, and to all, well, a good nap before the Christmas parade in our town tonight!

More Christmas is yet to come as it’s by far my favorite season!!!