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The holiday season is such a magical time of year! All the lights, decorations, singing, cookies, going to parties, opening Christmas cards and the Advent calendar doors – the list goes on!
But the meaning behind Christmas and the holiday season is so much more than stuffing your face with sweet treats or getting this year’s hottest toy or even singing Christmas carols. The true joy of Christmas is coming together as a family and enjoying each other’s company while making treasured memories.
For children in foster care, the holiday season can be scary and isolating. They are not with their families of origin, following their own traditions and spending time with cousins, grandparents, and other extended family members. For many of these kids, all they want for Christmas may be to spend time with their own families.
Thanks to our friends at Sisk Fulfillment, every child and youth in foster care who is served by CASA of Caroline receives presents galore to help make it special. And as we consider how it might feel to be a child in foster care this holiday season, we thought we’d ask a few folks from around the county what their favorite Christmas tradition or memory is.
“I lived on a farm in Ridgely with my parents, brothers, and grandparents. After opening presents, my grandfather, mother and I would take a trail ride all over the area. It was a lovely way to spend the day and take in the beauty of our lovely hometown. The smell of woodsmoke, oranges, and cloves always takes me back to Christmas and winter on the farm”. -Dr. Tara Downes, CCPS Asst. Super-Intendent
“Christmas is an opportunity to pause and give thanks for those we love, to spend time with friends and family, and a renewed hope and joy in the world and its future. Christmas is truly a special time for me and my family; a time of reflection, forgiveness, and giving back to the community which has been so good to me and my family over the years”. -Sheriff Donnie Baker
“After going to church on Christmas Eve, my father would drive the family around the county to look at the Christmas lights. It was always my favorite part of the holiday and fostered my love of decorating for Christmas. I never imagined as an adult I would be a part of something as big as Christmas in Ridgely and love to see families in our Railroad Park enjoying the magic of the lights”. – Stephanie Berkey, Town of Ridgely
“Christmas is a time to be with your family and friends and cherish the moments of love and laughter and remember the true meaning of Christmas. My family’s tradition is to wake up on Christmas morning, read scripture and then get to the presents!” – Stefanie Johnson, His Hope Ministries
“Christmas to me is about celebrating the birth of our savior and about being surrounded by loving family and friends. It’s a day about the traditions we create together and the memories we make as we celebrate the beauty of the day”. - Jeannette DeLude, Town Manager Circuit Rider
“It’s the warmth of family, the comfort of togetherness, and the joy of shared moments. It’s the thrill of excitement, the sparkle of magic in every corner, and the quiet hope that fills the air. It’s a season that wraps you in its embrace and reminds you of the beauty of connection and celebration.” – Jillian Luna, Rosendale Realty
However you and your family celebrate the holidays, we ask that you please include a prayer for those children who can’t be with their families of origin this Christmas. And if your family doesn’t have traditions, perhaps that could be a new one you could start this year. From all of us at CASA of Caroline, we wish you a warm and wonderful holiday season and all the best for a very Happy New Year.
