Christmas traditions were the topic during a speech by Georgia State Regent Barbara Blakely Chastain Thursday as the Archibald Bulloch Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its December meeting.
The holiday luncheon was held at Statesboro Inn.
Having arrived late due to traffic, Chastain, from the Atlanta area, told the group she would cut her speech short, but still shared suggestions to make Christmas special.
After thanking the group members for their donations to several charities and causes the NSDAR recognizes, Chastain spoke about “things that make a Southern Christmas.”
She asked others to share Christmas traditions and memories with their friends and families, especially those that exemplify the true meaning of the holiday.
She recalled Christmas traditions from her childhood, when “ children got only one present, and apples in a stocking, not Ipods.”
Chastain encouraged members to not only share their Christmas traditions and memories, in keeping the meaning of Christmas alive, but to “start new traditions.”
People often forget the reason Christmas is celebrated, she said. “Over 2,000 years ago Christmas started with Christ, our Lord ... the reason for the season, and it should be in our traditions.”
Christmas was first officially recognized as Dec. 25 in Alabama in 1836, she said.
Chastain spoke about several Southern traits and how Christmas is special in the South, and said “defining us (Southerners) is like touching a cloud or catching a falling star — it can’t really be done.”
The holiday luncheon was held at Statesboro Inn.
Having arrived late due to traffic, Chastain, from the Atlanta area, told the group she would cut her speech short, but still shared suggestions to make Christmas special.
After thanking the group members for their donations to several charities and causes the NSDAR recognizes, Chastain spoke about “things that make a Southern Christmas.”
She asked others to share Christmas traditions and memories with their friends and families, especially those that exemplify the true meaning of the holiday.
She recalled Christmas traditions from her childhood, when “ children got only one present, and apples in a stocking, not Ipods.”
Chastain encouraged members to not only share their Christmas traditions and memories, in keeping the meaning of Christmas alive, but to “start new traditions.”
People often forget the reason Christmas is celebrated, she said. “Over 2,000 years ago Christmas started with Christ, our Lord ... the reason for the season, and it should be in our traditions.”
Christmas was first officially recognized as Dec. 25 in Alabama in 1836, she said.
Chastain spoke about several Southern traits and how Christmas is special in the South, and said “defining us (Southerners) is like touching a cloud or catching a falling star — it can’t really be done.”