I chose that title because holiday traditions change and just because these are our traditions today does not necessarily mean they will continue to be our traditions tomorrow. Granted, some things indeed do not ever change. Nor should they. Inevitably as we get wiser (not necessarily older as some individuals are earlier wise than old, and vice versa for some of us) we tend to come to a different understanding of what once was. We come to comprehend that our interpretation of the world at any point is a reflection of the time and place in our lives that we are in at that particular moment.
We cannot unsee what we have experienced. We cannot predict what is yet to come. Instead we must make the most informed decision we believe possible with the knowledge at our disposal. I’ll give you an example. Many Christmas Eves past my mother would make Mexican punch or ponche to celebrate the occasion. I was never particularly fond of this drink and more often than not would opt out of sipping on a cup of hot Christmas tradition in a mug. This year, however, being in a completely different state away from our families the nostalgia got to me and I found myself slicing oranges, apples, pears, guavas, and more on the 24th of December to fill our home in Arkansas with the sweet aroma of Navidad. Earlier that day I had also made pozole verde and arroz con leche to ring in the 25th Mexican-style.
Never before had I even Googled on my phone to find out what the most traditional Mexican dishes are to enjoy during this time of year for our compatriots.
Our son is a growing adult now and that made me wonder about how we might one day celebrate Christmas together when he has a family of his own. Instantly the significance of these traditions carried more weight. Interestingly, that idea made me even more excited and eager to prepare and plan for the occasion in future years. Probably because as many of you already know, it is not so much about what we do or how we celebrate, but that we do so together.
Whether we continue to prepare ponche or instead opt to try something new. Even if we are not in the same city, will we continue to honor and celebrate the memories we once shared together? Will we carry on a portion of those holiday traditions with us in our own way? These are all rhetorical questions, of course. Not meant for us to answer for anyone else but for ourselves.
The point, at least for me, is not that we impart these traditions onto others to make them carry the torch as well, but rather to invoke in them a sense of family, community, and yes, even nostalgia.
And that one day they decide for themselves how to translate that nostalgia forward for future generations.
I want to believe this has been the same reasoning for those that imparted their traditions before me as well. And that as they say… maybe… just maybe… this is a part of the reason for the season too.
