I was pleased to see on Facebook this week that one of my brothers has kept our family’s tradition of making a gumdrop tree using a thorn apple branch and, of course, gum drops. We often hear people discussing the holidays with statements like “we always see a movie Christmas eve” or “it’s not Christmas without aunt Ellie’s homemade sugar cookies” – and I find myself putting as many as 20 holiday candles around the house like my mom used to do.

Whether you’re celebrating a tradition started 5 generations before, or establishing a custom that will become a tradition, may you and your family be blessed this holiday season.

Be safe, be warm, share peace, fill your home with music, show kindness to those less fortunate.