ESK Christmas Traditions – Part 1

As part of the season of Advent, ESK teachers and staff memories shared some of their most cherish memories and traditions as part of the daily Chapel services. We are bringing those stories to the blog this week as we prepare for Christmas. Today, we hear from middle school teacher Brandi Guerry. 

 

One of my favorite holiday traditions also happens to coincide with my birthday. Since my birthday is the week of Christmas, my family, my friends, and I would always celebrate both events by looking at Christmas lights.

My mom, my friends, and I would hop in my grandparents’ Cadillac and drive around our town looking for the best decorated house. Our trips typically included hot cocoa and George Strait Christmas music. (George is King in Texas!) I vividly remember being squished in the back seat with my friends and hearing the “oohs” and “aahs” as everyone pointed to different houses.

This is still a tradition that we keep in our family. These days our hot cocoa is served in sippy cups, and the music is sometimes Third Day Christmas and sometimes Star Wars or Disney, but the fun is not diminished.

As I was thinking about sharing this tradition with you, a verse from a Third Day song (which is taken from Matthew 5:14, 16) kept coming to mind. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Shine your light before all men that they may see your works and then praise your Father up in heaven.” We are called to be Light to the world, and if we are that light to others, we can show our neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and families a glimpse of God and His love.

Just as we are drawn to homes and neighborhoods that are all lit up at Christmas, others will be drawn to us if we are His Light. What better time than Christmas to shine our light brightly?