By April Rodgers | FreeWire – Your News, Your Voice
Christmas Eve has always been about anticipation for me—the kind that makes sleep feel impossible. As a child, my parents and I had a tradition that never changed. Before bedtime, we would read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, Santa Mouse, and The Littlest Angel. After saying my prayers, I’d be tucked in, wide awake with excitement.
No matter how hard I tried, I could never stay asleep for long. I would wake my mom and dad at least once an hour, quietly asking if Santa had been there yet. The answer was always no, but the waiting itself felt magical. Christmas Eve wasn’t about the morning—it was about believing something wonderful was on its way.
That tradition didn’t end when I grew up. I carried it forward with my own children. Even now, with four sons ages 27, 25, 16, and 15, we still read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas before heading to bed to wait on Old St. Nick. The years may change, but the tradition—and the feeling—remains the same.
That same sense of wonder still exists, especially when seen through a child’s eyes.
When I asked Scarlett, 6, if she planned to go to sleep early so Santa could come or if she wanted to stay up late listening for him, her answer was simple and hopeful. “I never heard his bells,” she said. “So let’s try to hear his bells this time.”
When asked what she thought Santa’s favorite cookie might be, she paused before deciding. “Probably like Santa or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer cookies.”
This year, 2-year-old Grey will experience Christmas with a little more understanding than before. He’ll notice the lights and how they sparkle, the gifts underneath the tree, and the excitement in the room. He may not quite understand the man dressed in red just yet—but that’s okay. One day, he will.
Each year, from one generation to the next, the child believes—then grows older, starts a family, and begins the tradition all over again with their own children. It’s a cycle that never really ends.
Embrace their excitement. Notice the twinkle in their eyes. Live in the moment and make the memories while you can.
And if you’re woken up at 3 a.m. by a small voice asking if Santa has been there yet, it’s okay to say yes and get up. That’s what naps are for.
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