I wish I had time to relate all our memorable Christmases. Maybe I can tell you more next year. For now, I want to highlight three—two with our children when they were young, and one rooted deeply in our extended family traditions at Helen’s farm.
They were simple Christmases. Ordinary, even.
And yet, they formed bonds that still hold.
“The moments that shape a family rarely announce themselves as important—until years later.”
Memory #1: A Train Set and a Baby Doll (El Paso, Texas)
Linda gregg
Baby Tender Love
Softtina
I’ll never forget the look on our kids’ faces when they opened their gifts.
We were living in El Paso, Texas, and Christmas morning felt quieter than usual—but no less meaningful. We gave David a train set. After setting it up, I laid on the floor beside him, showing him how to run it, how the tracks fit together, how to think like an engineer. I believe it was midnight before we finally went to bed.
Ellen received a Baby Tender Love doll—something she had wanted for months. On her birthday January 5th she got Softtina. She didn’t want anyone else to touch her dolls. She and her mother played house while David and I worked trains across the living room floor.
Different gifts. Different interests.
One shared experience.
“Bonding doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when we choose to enter our children’s world.”
Those gifts did more than entertain. They gave us time together. They taught us how to value who our children were becoming.
Memory #2: Snowmen, Snow Angels, and Fisher-Price Dreams (Burr Oak, Kansas)
Christmas at Burr Oak, Kansas, brought snow—and magic.
That year, the kids received Fisher-Price sets: a farm, an airport, a gas station. Ellen received a dollhouse. David got a BB gun. Outside, we built a snowman. Ellen laid back in the snow and made her first snow angel.
Inside, those two played until they fell asleep right on the floor.
The next morning, they were back at it again—no instructions needed, no screens required.
“Children don’t remember how much we spent—they remember how present we were.”
What stands out most is not the toys, but the unhurried time—a rare gift in any generation.
Memory #3: Christmas at the Farm (The Wood Family Tradition)
Helen’s home place
Christmas at the Wood farm was different—and unforgettable.
We played games late into the night. During the day, horseshoes filled the hours beside the granary. The men—brothers-in-law and relatives—lined up for friendly competition. Bill Mueller, Helen’s sister’s husband, and I teamed up and kept the heat on with the best of them.
But what anchored those days was the table.
Mom Wood cooked wonderful meals, and the family time gathered around that table is something that simply can’t be duplicated.
“Food fills the stomach—but shared meals fill generations.”
Those farm Christmases taught us how to appreciate our in-laws—not just for what they did, but for what they stood for.
What These Christmases Had in Common
Despite the different places, seasons of life, and circumstances, these Christmases shared the same foundation.
1. Faith Set the Pace
We always started the evening the same way:
The Christmas story. Christmas carols. Prayer.
Even at the Wood farm, the little ones took their time with prayer. I still remember our youngest, Daniel, praying at three years old. You couldn’t understand him clearly—he ended every prayer with “Nawt Naw.”
Later, as his words became clearer, we realized what he had been saying all along:
“Right now.”
“Faith learned early becomes instinct later.”
2. Every Family Member Was Valued
Different personalities. Different interests. Different gifts.
We learned to appreciate each family member for who they were—not who we wanted them to be.
This kind of value doesn’t eliminate family tension, but it softens it. It gives grace room to work.
3. Traditions Build Integrity
At the Wood farm, Christmas wasn’t optional.
Weather didn’t stop us. Conflicting plans didn’t stop us. Even church schedules didn’t stop us.
Usually, we spent at least two days there during Christmas week.
Before we left, Dad Wood would fill our cars with gas. Sometimes, he slipped us extra money for the trip home.
“Generosity is often taught without a single word spoken.”
Why This Still Matters Today
Families today face dramatic pressures—busyness, division, distraction, and unresolved pain. Traditions alone won’t fix those issues. But they create safe ground where healing can begin.
Research supports what many families have lived for generations:
- Why Family Traditions Matter – American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/monitor/nov01/traditions - The Importance of Family Rituals – Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/family-affair/201203/why-family-rituals-are-important - Shared Meals Strengthen Families – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/family-dinners-benefits/
Final Takeaways
- Presence matters more than perfection
- Faith practiced together outlasts faith discussed
- Family traditions create emotional anchors
- Generosity leaves a legacy long after gifts are forgotten
“The greatest Christmas gift isn’t found under the tree—it’s found in the relationships we nurture year after year.”
Stay Connected
Christmas gives us many moments worth remembering. If this post resonated with you, you’ll find more reflections and family stories in the rest of my Christmas blogs this month, then leave a comment.
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