Christmas Traditions:

The Tanner Family
Newtown, Connecticut

Jack and Penny moved to Connecticut in June of 1980. Jack had been managing the cafeteria at Lincoln Christian College and Seminar before accepting the full-time preaching position with Newtown Christian Church (Newton, Connecticut). Initially, "I played Moses" (Jack says) when he was asked to take the position, thinking he was not the right person for the ministry. However, after some mishaps, thinking through some financial matters (of which God really showed His provision), prayer, and relationships that had formed -- it was clear that this was definitely a call from God.

Like many of those who have come to New England to minister, the first few Christmases were spent traveling back home to the Midwest to be with family and friends. The Tanners would travel back to Indiana, with their son and two daughters, so that the grandparents were able to be a part of their grandchildren's lives. As is the case for many families who travel home for the holidays, when they arrived it was typically non-stop traveling from house to house to catch up with family, friends, and co-workers. It was typically not a restful time for those who had traveled so far.

Due to the hectic schedule of traveling those early years, the Tanner family decided to stay in Connecticut for their third Christmas in New England and began a new Christmas tradition. "We learned very quickly how lonely it could be, when it was just us and the kids here in New England," Jack recalls. So they immediately made plans to invite those who might not have family close, or didn't have any plans for Christmas, to spend that time with them in their home. As a result, the Tanners have had Christmas guests ranging in number from three to twenty individuals ever since.

"Christmases out here have been great!" Jack commented on how the Christmas Eve service at Newtown has always provided him with the opportunity to simply be an attendee, as his only responsibility has been to create the handout for the service. Newtown had already had a tradition set in place, as individuals simply come forward and offer their talents and gifts to Jesus. Whether it is a song, a poem, or playing an instrument, it is a night where individuals realize how important it is to be giving all that they have to God the whole year. It is something that Newtown will continue to do, and one that they hope does not change.

What has Christmas morning been like in the Tanner home?

"On Christmas morning at the Tanner residence, we tried to instill into our children that the main focus of the day was Jesus Christ. There are many traditions we started back then and continue with today. For instance, we typically start the day with a great breakfast and a family prayer. We usually also have a Nativity scene that is set out, and we will not add the baby Jesus figure until Christmas morning. The next thing we do is hang stockings with everyone's name on the fireplace mantel. We also have one with Jesus' name on it. In the stocking, we have pieces of paper that have things we were going to give God the previous year -- whether it is a gift or something we want to work on spiritually, or whatever. We take those out and throw them in the fire, as the year has drawn to a close, and we write new ones and place them in Jesus' stocking. Once this is done, we do the typical opening of presents."

What are you looking forward to this year?

"Oh, that's a good question. Our two daughters are not going to be able to make it home for Christmas this year, as they are beginning their own Christmas traditions. So we are actually looking forward to a simple, yet relaxing Christmas with our son. We actually have invitations to go over to some friends' homes for dinner, and one of our daughters will be over during the week with her husband, but this will be a non-hectic time for peace and joy at home."

How has Christmas changed for those who have attended Newtown Christian Church over the years?

"We live in a very transient culture here in Newtown. There are only about five families in our congregation who are still here out of those that made up Newtown Christian when I started. So it is often hard to tell what has changed for many who have attended Newtown. Many of them have children now, while others have retired and now travel to see sons, daughters, and grandchildren."

How has your Christmas sermon changed for you here in New England over the years?

"I usually focus on the Christmas story for about four Sundays, not necessarily using the same sermons, but rather focusing on the different circumstances, characters, and God's involvement in the story. I always try to have people look at it more than just a 'Christmas story' by having them go beyond the events given to us in the Bible. It seems a lot of people have a hard time making the events given to us in the story of Jesus' birth relevant to them, other than the giving of presents. I really try to take them beyond that."