The Tradition

We started this last year but I never got around to blogging about it.  However, its not a tradition until you do it twice, right?  So now I can officially announce our new family CHRISTmas tradition!

 

We are blessed. 

 

Truly, truly blessed. 

 

From jobs to our home to the health of our family to finances that allow more than we need, we are blessed. 

 

But recently my heart has told my head that just saying we are blessed isn't enough - that giving of our surplus isn't enough - that trying squeeze some volunteer time in when its convenient isn't enough.  My heart needed more...  A Christ like sacrifice on the most important day in our lives - CHRISTmas. 

 

So on December 25, 2014, our household was awake and bustling at 6:30am, not to open presents, but to go help prepare the community Christmas dinner. 

 

2014

 

 

Awake, dressed, and ready to serve. 

 

Cheese trays needed assembled.

100+ pounds of potatoes needed to be peeled, chopped, boiled, and mashed. 

 

Over 200 rolls needed to be individually wrapped for the to-go orders for the shut ins. 

 

Silverware needed to be wrapped for all those dining in. 

 

Bags for the to-go meals needed to be filled with fruit, rolls, butter, and a piece of candy. 

 

Then it was time to assemble.  Veggies, cheese, cole slaw, dessert, ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, pudding and dressing all needed to be put into containers for deliveries to go out.  Its quite a production to see and it runs so smoothly. 

 

Then its time to restock the tables, refill platters, and serve all those who need it.

 

I have to admit, being the first year we did this, I was scared.  Stepping outside of the cushy, comfy, warm tradition of Christmas is nerve wracking.  Did I make the right choice for my family?  My children?  After all, this is my epiphany, not theirs.

 

My answer came about two weeks before this Christmas when on the way to school Bree asked:

 

 "Are we going to go help with the meal on Christmas like we did last year?" 

 

So on Christmas morning at 6:45am, our house was beginning to come awake as we got ourselves ready to go serve again.

 

2015

 

 

Salt and pepper shakers needed to be filled and placed on all the tables. 

 

 

Some celery needed to be stuffed with peanut butter and others with cream cheese.

 

The kids and I filled the to-go bags with fruit. 

 

 

Jim was stuck on potato duty a large chunk of the morning. 

 

Then, seemingly out of no where, it was time to start packing up food for deliveries.  Although I never heard the exact number, it was a record breaking year with over 315 people sharing this meal. 

 

The traditional horrible family selfie.

 

I'm glad we started this little tradition.  This year it felt more natural and in years to come it will seem odd if we don't do it.  It will be all my children remember when they are grown and starting families of their own.  And maybe, just maybe, they will continue the tradition of giving when its the hardest (although, the more you do it, the less hard it becomes).  

 

Here is a little back story on the Christmas dinner:

 

  The Christmas meal began in 1986 by members of the Lutz family. At the first meal, served at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 35 guests gathered to share food, fun and fellowship. There was enough food to deliver meals to shut-ins as well.  Today the Wauseon Christmas dinner is sponsored by the American Legion, the Wauseon Rotary, donations, and volunteers.   Donations are accepted anytime after Thanksgiving and can range from donating beverages (canned pop, water, juice for kids), candy for the to-go bags, or volunteering to bring pies, veggies, or even cook a turkey.  When the season rolls round again and you would like to help in any way you can, please let me know and I'll get you in contact with the right people.