A Traditional Holiday

 

As we approach this holiday season, I recall a conversation that I had with a mom over forty years ago.  Marge was one of my Sunday school teachers, and her husband Bob was chairman of the Board of Trustees.  They rarely missed a Sunday.  Marge and Bob had one daughter.  She was a college graduate student who I barely knew.  She had gone off to college before I had joined the staff at the church.  Her reputation was as a popular, over-achieving student, who was rarely seen around church during her high school years.  Other than Easter and Christmas Eve, I do not recall having seen her.

On this day Marge stopped by my office in tears.  She wanted my counsel on an issue.  It seems that she and Bob had planned a Christmas vacation in the Colorado mountains.  They had included their daughter in the plans, figuring she would be excited over the opportunity to spend some time on the ski slopes with them.  She was shocked when her daughter vehemently objected.  She wanted a traditional Christmas at home.  Marge was especially surprised when her daughter stated she would most miss being in church on Christmas Eve. 

I honestly do not remember how Marge and Bob’s dilemma was resolved, but that is not important.  What is significant is that we keep in mind how important celebrating the holidays with a traditional celebration is to young people.  They might go their own way much of the year, but come Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve they want to celebrate at home with family.  That is why year after year, churches are packed on Christmas Eve.

The traditional family celebrations of Thanksgiving and Christmas are in jeopardy this year as we are warned to avoid both travel and large gatherings.  Some colleges and Universities are actually telling students if you leave campus for Thanksgiving, don’t come back until 2021.  Others schools are testing students before they leave campus, with a promise to do the same once they return.

It is a challenging time for churches and those who minister to college students and their families.  How do you connect in a meaningful way?   How can you be a messenger of grace and hope when face to face contact is impossible?  Somehow, I think Christmas cards and care packages are going to be more meaningful this Holiday Season.  Those young people who treasure a traditional Christmas are going to need a little extra love this year.