CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

STARTING ON THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT MOTHER WOULD PUT OUT THE
MANGER FROM THE STABLE SCENE, ALONG SIDE OF THIS SHE WOULD PUT A
SMALL BOX OF LITTLE STRAWS. FOR EVERY REALLY GOOD DEED THAT WE DID
UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE WE COULD PUT A STRAW IN TE MANGER. THE OBJECT
WAS THAT WE WOULD BE SO GOOD THAT THE MANGER WOULD BE FULL OF STRAW
TO MAKE A COMFORTABLE BED FOR JESUS.
THIS WAS JUST ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT MOTHER DID TO INSTILL THE
REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IN US.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO