Hometown Rankin - December 2015 & January 2016

What can you tell your Washington associates
≤. about Christmas in Rankin County?
It’s all about the fact that God loved us so much that He sent his only son, Jesus Christ,
to save us, and that it’s not Christmas without hearing that message in music in one or
more of our amazing churches in Rankin County. I would tell them that the warmth
of our people, the closeness of our families and the demonstration of Christ’s Golden
Rule, is not just a Christmas phenomenon but it’s a year round reason we call Rankin
County home.
What do you hope you have instilled in your children about
≤. Christmas?
That it indeed is better to give than to receive. I hope that they can make sure to relax
and reflect on the hope of Christ and share their faith with others, in words and by
how they live. Christmas can get so rushed and be so stressful that you have to slow
down and cherish each moment with your family and friends. It’s also important to
remember those that may be struggling and be “doers of the word” to lift others up.
What was one of your childhood Christmas traditions?
≤.
We always opened gifts on Christmas morning, but on Christmas Eve, we
were allowed to pick one gift from under the tree and open it that night! Every wrapped
gift had to be carefully held, shaken, weighed and otherwise thoroughly inspected
before making that final decision. The last thing you wanted to do was open up a pair
of socks, so you usually opened the heaviest one or the one that rattled the most!
Can your family members share a favorite Christmas memory?
≤.
Maggie: My favorite Christmas memory has always been my dad putting
out lettuce and carrots for the “reindeer” after I had gone to sleep and making it appear
as if they crash landed in weird places like the trees, the roof, and even my car to
embarrass me as I got older. My fiancé, Brett, and I are getting married next month
so I am excited to carry over some old traditions into our family, but looking forward
to making many new and special memories with him.
Sidney: One of my many favorite Christmas traditions carried over from my
childhood before Gregg and I were even married. Growing up, my mom taught me
how to make many sweets and candies that I now enjoy making and delivering to all
of our neighbors. Also, I will always remember the year I let Maggie pick out the
family Christmas tree. She insisted on getting one that was TOO BIG for our 8 foot
ceilings. When she and Gregg stood it up in our living room, it put a scratch across the
ceiling, we had to cut off the top of the tree to fit the angel, and Maggie hasn’t been
allowed to pick out the tree ever since!
Livingston: My favorite thing is going to our next door neighbor’s house every
Christmas morning and having him cook breakfast. This will be the 30th year in a row
that he’s cooked for my mom and dad and every year since I was born! n
Hometown Rankin • 29