Christmas Traditions

          by Mark Roberts

​There are many things this time of year that trigger fond Christmas memories for me: the smell of cookies baking; the warm glow of Christmas tree lights illuminating the house; the first few notes of Christmas songs by the likes of Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams or the Carpenters.

These memory triggers are thanks to a childhood steeped in Christmas traditions such as driving around to see Christmas lights, shopping trips to Southdale with my mom or dad, and the general anticipation of the season as a kid. In addition, there was the annual trek to downtown Minneapolis to walk through Dayton's eighth floor exhibit, and in later years to also watch the Holidazzle parade. Christmas Eve was full of its own rituals, celebrating at my Grandmother’s house with aunts, uncles and cousins with a traditional dinner of Swedish sausage, Swedish meatballs, and rice pudding. After dinner, my parents would bring us to St Luke’s for Christmas Eve service, complete with the candlelight singing of Silent Night.

Over the years, many of these traditions have changed or gone away: mall shopping has been replaced with online clicks, Dayton’s became Macy’s and the 8th floor Christmas display came to an end in 2016, and the Hollidazzle parade went dark in 2013. My grandmother died years ago, and the Christmas Eve dinner moved and changed. New traditions have arisen to take their place.

But the tradition of Christmas Eve service at St Luke’s has remained an important part of Christmas for me. The congregation has changed and the look of the sanctuary has evolved over the years, but the feeling of an extended family has carried on, and the magic of the Christmas story continues to shine. And Silent Night is still sung by candlelight.

Ultimately that is the Christmas message in a nutshell: God’s love for us, packaged in a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager, meant to bring hope and joy to all generations, has carried on for over 2000 years, despite an ever-changing world. It is the ultimate Christmas tradition.

​Whether this will be your first Christmas Eve at St Luke’s, or your 5th, or 10th or 59th, or too many to count, I invite you to take part in the magic that is the Christmas story and hearing it again side by side with family and friends. With services at 2:00, 4:00 and 10:00pm, and the option to watch online, I hope you find a way to worship with your St Luke’s family.