What is your family tradition for the holidays?

We always have our traditional dinner on Christmas Eve & then the kids get to choose one gift to open. In the evening, we watch Christmas movies by the roaring fire.

On Christmas morning I cook a big breakfast after opening gifts and the rest of the day is spent relaxing with friends stopping in to celebrate the holiday and because I cook the day before... I don't spend the day in the kitchen!

In the past it was always spent here, now Christmas Diner is at Family.

We open our gifts, one at a time, on Christmas Eve. There will be a big pot of chili and rice and all the toppings in the other room along with my brother's famous chocolate cheesecake and fruits, veggies and dip, and cheese and crackers. People munch as they want.

There will be asssorted nuts in glass dishes and M & M's in little wicker turkeys that were my mothers. This usally starts at about 6:00 pm and goes until after 10:00. We have lots of music and laughter and discussions and almost always a Scrabble game or two.

Christmas is a day to relax, go to friend's houses and sometimes go see a movie with my nephews. I will return Sunday mid morning after meeting my sister at IHOP for breakfast. When I get home, I will help Emmy open her stocking which usually has a few toys and some new nip.

We spend the rest of the day playing and snoozing and watching TV together.

Spend time with my children on Christmas Eve and go out and eat at a high class resturant. Then on Christmas Day spend it with my girlfriend or wife. Enjoy the day with the one you love.

Every year my entire family gets together to celebrate Christmas. On Christmas Eve, my gigantic family that includes my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins-in-laws, and cousin nieces/nephews, met at one of my aunt’s or uncle’s home. Sometimes family friends, church members, and distant relations come over too.

All in all, there is usually over 50 people in the house on Christmas Eve. Which equals not much room, so there is always someone in every room. Sometimes that can be a lot of fun, but other times it can get a bit annoying.

For example, during dinner all of the adults and some of the older cousins get to sit at the dining table or whatever table’s available, but the younger cousins (and that includes me) don’t get that luxury.

Mae: While I am no longer blessed to have much family around me for the holidays, I am blessed in numerous and abundant ways. Who is my family? Basically it is me, myself, and I, and Yes, I often talk to myself.

I talk to my heart, my spirit, and I pray, and I pray all day long (many times half the night, as well). Amongst other things I ask that our heavenly Father make my life meaningful, and that He enable, empower, and embolden me to make my own life meaningful to someone else. That is what I want beyond all else.

I don't just pray for myself. I pray for many others, as well. This, I believe, is an enriching experience, not only for myself, but for others and it is pleasing to the Lord God Almighty, himself.

Although the Christmas holidays are a very sad time for me, it is at the same time a very joyous and blessed time. The date of Christmas Day doesn't mean much to me (that's not the day). Everyday is the Lord's day, and I do this everyday.

He has commanded us to pray for one another.

Although at one time I was asked to remove someone from my prayer list, I never did. I continue to pray for them and the others. I pray for them and their whole families, including their extended families.

I don't particularly care what the need is. I believe that God answers prayer. I don't care whether it is physical pain, heart pain, spiritual disillusionment, or WHATEVER THE WEATHER.

God hears all, and He answers all according to s holy and righteous will.

In the case of what the world calls a 'terminal' illness, there is no sickness, no evil, no disease, no infirmity that can overcome the Holy Spirit of God.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. " - Mark 9:23.

Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.

Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick; and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. " - James 5:13-16.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Ze-rub'-ba-bel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. " - Zechariah 4:6.

Go to dinner with celebrating family members, and hope no one throws a plate my way.

Yeah if appropriate we move towards our relatives to other cities, elders make gossips or do shopping and youngsters play their favorite games to enjoy and fun.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.