Why American Christmas/Holiday Traditions Are So Important

America, since its founding, has had beautiful traditions and we must not let them fade away. Most of our traditions and rituals are rooted in our nation's Judeo-Christian heritage, and they enrich our national identity. Traditions are like heirlooms that are passed down through generations of families. Traditions also strengthen our sense of history and belonging. Traditions bring families and friends together and reinforce values. The left, however, is destroying our history, nationalism, traditions, and religions. We must not allow that to continue.

As we approach this very special time of the year, we should be fierce about practicing and preserving traditions. Let us remember all that our parents, grandparents, and loved ones of the past did during this time of the year. And, we should do these enthusiastically in order to pass them down to the younger.

• Displaying stars; stars symbolize the star of Bethlehem. It is also the heavenly sign of a prophecy fulfilled long ago and the shining hope for humanity.
• Candles represent light, Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, and the star of Bethlehem.
• Gifts symbolize the men who brought gifts to honor the birth of Jesus. A ribbon is tied around a gift to represent how people should all be tied together in bonds of unity and goodwill during the holiday season.
• Wreaths are a symbol of eternal love because they are circular, and they also symbolize rebirth.
• Holly stands for immortality and cedar for strength.
• Mistletoe is an ancient symbol of love.
• The Christmas tree is a tradition that can be traced to 16th century Germany where Christians began to decorate trees.
• Luminaries in the driveway are beautiful. In our family, with the help of the children and grandchildren, we make them by putting a small amount of sand in a lunch paper sack and setting a votive candle inside. We light them at dusk on Christmas Eve. It has been a tradition in the southwest for over 300 years.
• Cookies and cookie swaps are very much an American tradition.
• Special dishes such as latkes, kugel, rugelach, knish, biscochos, tamales, ham, Yorkshire pudding, cannoli, roasts, bulgogi, japchae, sweet potatoes, holiday candy bark, pernil, flan, cheese blintzes, etc.
• Poinsettias are America's Christmas flower.
• Festive jewelry such as wreaths and angel brooches.
• Religious services; how much richer would our culture be if we all returned to our churches in huge numbers.
• And there is so much more, such as Advent calendars, Christmas cards, etc.