We all have expectations of what the perfect Christmas looks like. What that looks like is different from family to family, even from person to person. Some want a lot of family gatherings, and such, others like it quiet. There are those who really enjoy the decorating, baking, and do it yourself stuff. Others prefer to buy things, even buying a prepared Christmas dinner for the family. Some love going to the stores to shop, others buy on line and avoid crowds, still others prefer homemade gifts.

Traditions differ from family to family. When couples get married, sometimes they adopt the traditions of one side or the other, or they make their own, or use a combination of their own and some from each side. Traditions can be simple or quite complex.

When someone is incarcerated, everything changes… for them and for the family. The family can’t include them like they do everyone else. There are things they can do for him/her like secure pacs, ordering subscriptions to magazines, or books, and putting money on their account. When they come home, often times restrictions put on them hinder a lot of the traditions as well. They are not free to go to other homes for dinners and gift exchanges. For those of you facing the changes of them being home for that first Christmas, grab on to the joy of having them home and what they can do, what you can do with and for them, and enjoy it as much as possible. For those of you still walking the incarceration path, let yourself enjoy the family traditions and such, find something you can do for the one inside, whether it is a book or something else, and include them as you can.
Most of all, remember Christmas is His birthday. Jesus Christ came as a baby, grew to be a man, died and was resurrected. He died so we can live. I pray that you experience His peace, joy and love as you celebrate the birth of the One who loves you most.

Merry Christmas,
mary