I love the season of Christmas. It’s the time of year that tugs my heart to gather with my family. This year was yet another fun and joyous time of being with my family and extended family. I love the traditions that are in place and the memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. Let me share one with you.
Every year my Mother gets asked the following question, “Is Aunt Betty Ann coming with her Christmas Cookie Bouquet?” My Mother is the great aunt to 9 nieces and nephews belonging to my cousin Carol (ages range from 2 to 21), and 3 belonging to my cousin Kathy. As you can see, Carol and her husband took God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” rather seriously! My Mother started a fun tradition years ago that all of her nieces and nephews love and that was to bring a special cookie for each child via a cookie bouquet. These aren’t just ordinary cookies. These are custom-made with Christmas themes and are baked and fitted on sticks (or “stems”). Here was this year’s cookie bouquet (ignore the date!): 
Since my cousin Carol didn’t have all 9 children in one year, the challenge for Mother over the years has been coming with the right number of cookies. When asked “Are you coming with the cookie bouquet?”, her response is “Exactly how many nieces and nephews do I have THIS year?!” The joy in this tradition is watching the kids approach the cookie bouquet to admire each of the cookies that will depict a Santa, or a Christmas tree, or a reindeer, or a snowflake, etc. It is so cute how they just labor over the decision of which cookie they want! So how do you know who gets which cookie? We simply have a drawing for numbers. This year there were 12 nieces and nephews, so 12 slips of paper were put in a basket so that each child could draw a number. The one who draws #1 gets to pick their cookie first. The one who draws #12 gets whatever is left! Then once everyone has their prized cookie in hand, they all gather around my Mother for the group shot to show off their chosen cookie, which is always precious. Here is this year’s picture (or go to http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=194415&id=100001592625717#!/photo.php?pid=194412&id=100001592625717&fbid=128478887215198 to view more)
12 Nieces and Nephews with my Mother
As I reflect on this Christmas celebration and those of the past, I won’t remember the specific gifts I received, but rather the laughter, my cousins singing their specials for the family, the sparkle in the kids eyes as they staked out cookies, the big smiles on the faces of each child as they opened their gifts, experiencing the genuine love that is shared in our family, and just watching my Mother cuddle her 2.5 yr old nephew David. If you look at her holding him, then you have a glimpse of how much love I experienced in my own home that just keeps on growing year after year!
There is no question that there is a period of time during our celebration that Christmas is all about the cookies and watching the joy spread across the faces of my cousins as they chose their cookie, but there is also no doubt that Christ was present in this celebration. This Christmas season I was impacted by the truth of Christ incarnate who came to dwell among us (John 1:14). We celebrate Emmanuel, or “God with us”. But the greater joy is that a great majority of my family has accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (John 1:12), so our celebration is about “Christ in us” and the bond in Christ that we share. As I enjoyed building memories with my family, I couldn’t help but see Christ “incarnate” in each person in the room. That’s CHRISTmas for me! I am blessed beyond measure to have a family where the love and light of Christ shines bright and am so thankful that the Lord placed me in this family. Thank you for indulging me as I share one of my favorite memories and traditions for this year’s Christmas. I hope you had a very merry Christmas as well!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Tinka Patton wrote: “I love this Lee Ann!”
Carolyn Shelton wrote: I loved the tradition that you shared, Lee Ann….I have always felt traditions are such an important part of our lives…….let’s keep them alive & well!! Blessings in the new year!!
Dawn Varney wrote: How sweet! (You don’t happen to look anything at all like your mother, do you?!) Happy New Year!
Nicki McFarland wrote: Awhhh. I want those memories and traditions! I love the cookies! After my Dad died, and Mom remarried it is just so different and uncomfortable. I don’t feel the CHRISTmas, but I do perform my duty 🙂
Laurie Winckel wrote: “Another great blog Lee Ann! Beautiful cookies and a beautiful family! Hey there Bardin family!! Love you all!”
Barbara Childers wrote: I loved the way you brought in the cookies and turned them into a very special message of the deliberate way that we can make choices that will carry forward through our lives. Your pictures were great and your blog the best! Happy New Year. Hope we see you before next Christmas! Blessings, Aunt Barbara
Lyrinda Richards wrote:
Lee Ann,
Thank you for sharing your special treasure of family. You have a rich heritage!! Keep enjoying the blessings… and share w/ many. It’s an inspiration!!
God bless you and Happy New Year
Lyrinda
Candy Benoit wrote: “What a wonderful tradition. It was great to see you on Sunday – I trust you enjoyed the service … Happy New Year Lee Ann.”
Deonne Johnson wrote: Your mother is beautiful! And what a legacy of joy and generosity she is leaving your family. Thanks for sharing your very special blessing!
Deonne
Barb McGowan wrote: Thank you for sharing.
Betty Ann Penick wrote: Oh my goodness, I’m famous! What fun this was–thank you for sending this out–you did a wonderful job with your narrative too.
Love,
Mother
Sally Bowman wrote: Enjoyed reading your latest entries and listening to Rutter. Thanks!
Tomi Foust says: Can I be a cousin? 🙂
Betty Ann is truly a person whom I consider a gift. How blessed you all are to be loved by her.
I couldn’t agree more, Letty! If I could introduce her to everyone I know, I would do it in a heartbeat. She just has a spirit of love that shines anywhere she goes!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Thank you so much for the reminder Lee Ann! It’s so true! These are definitely the memories that I will ALWAYS keep for years to come – not the presents – but the wonderful family I have been blessed with and our Christmastimes together since as long as I can remember! I only hope that someday I can pass the tradition on 🙂 Love you!
I love you too, Katy! It is ALWAYS a blessing to spend time with you, and you are one of the reasons that my memories are so special year after year. By the way, while you hope to pass the tradition on someday, Mother has already reminded me that some day she won’t be around, and it will be up to me to carry it on for you and all of your siblings and cousins!! Love, Lee Ann
Thanks for sharing your stories! We have many traditions, but no cookie bouquet. Perhaps your mom could come to sell her wares in Kansas!
You’re welcome! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas with your family. Happy New Year! Blessings, Lee Ann
This is NOT the kind of article I need in getting started with my new diet!! Thanks so much! I guess this is what I get for procrastinating reading your blog. It is neat to see the variety of different traditions that people pass along. I’m just wondering if I could be adopted? – that does have some theological merits. I can see where you have gotten your Christlike reflection. Happy New Year.
Thanks, Cavin! I am laughing because just days ago you posted on FB heading to Cheesecake Factory and offering to bring home desserts for anyone who wanted one. This is an interesting approach to diets!! I would have ordered one, but the shipping costs would have exceeded the cost of the cheesecake!
Blessings,
Lee Ann