We need some new traditions

No matter where we lived, when I was a little girl there was always lots of Christmas magic in our home. My Mom's people were originally from Holland, so our holiday began on the fifth, the eve of St Nicholas day. Before we went to bed, we each had a pair of wooden shoes that we would put outside our bedroom door. In the morning we would wake to find that St Nick had been by to fill them with chocolates and treats. ( One of the great miracles of the season was that we never wound up with branches in our shoes instead : )))
Like most families, our holiday traditions developed over the years .... often inspired by the various places Dad's postings took us to. Our time in Germany added gingerbread houses and a newfound respect for the possibilities of chocolate.
But throughout the years, there were always some constants underpinning it all. The presents never appeared under the tree until we went to bed on Christmas Eve. Everyone hung up one of Dad's big wool socks for Santa to fill. We always made a sandwich for Santa before going to bed. And of course opening gifts in the morning had to wait until Mom and Dad were awake .... and there was to be no nudging them up before five.
I am old enough to remember listening to the radio announcer tracking Santa's progress by radar on Christmas Eve. When midnight mass was full of mystery with latin and incense.
We bring some traditions with us and begin making our own holiday traditions when we leave our parents roof. The no putting presents under the tree beforehand works really well in a multipet household : ))) From the orange in the toe of the stocking to the menu that evolves over time, it is the homely little things that weave the fabric of our traditions.
If there is one constant in life, it is that nothing is ever constant. Just as we can never stand in the same river twice, we can never have the same holiday in spite of all our traditions. Children grow up, grandchildren are born. People should grow and change over the years as their experiences open their minds and their hearts to new ideas.
Back in the day, we used to pray for "Peace on Earth". I am older now, if not necessarily wiser, and understand that first we need real respect for life. Until we create an environment where it is socially, and more importantly legally, unacceptable for humans to abuse and kill helpless animals, Peace on Earth hasn't got a chance.