By Nick Carney, Endowment and Legacy Giving Manager
We are now in the season of Advent building toward Christmas! I am always reminded of certain joys that come from the traditions I celebrate each year. There are traditions with my work, my family, my church, and some I enjoy as my own personal celebration.
One tradition that I always look forward to is Christmas breakfast. Every year my mother makes a baked pastry which we call a “butter ring.” Essentially, it is a giant round cinnamon roll with a little frosting glaze on top. This tradition started with my great grandmother who initially found a recipe for the butter ring and decided it would be a fun morning treat to serve to her children. For years, my grandfather grew up eating butter rings for breakfast on Christmas, and after he got married, he asked his wife, my grandmother, to continue the tradition. She said yes, and my father enjoyed the tradition as my grandfather did. My father had a similar story – he was a newlywed and, remembering his childhood tradition, asked my mother if she would prepare the butter ring for Christmas.
There have been only two modifications over the generations:
- The recipe has evolved a bit, but the concept remained the same. The frosting was different, the yeast preparation changed, but the idea has remained the same.
- My mother decided that she would take this tradition and share it with others. Instead of one butter ring to feed the family Christmas morning she made 12.
She always made one for us, then others for aunts, uncles, her family, and family friends. One year when my brother was serving in the military far from home, she mailed him his own butter ring just to keep the tradition alive for him.
My great-grandmother’s simple idea for turned into generations of memories.
Traditions are important because they allow us to take a routine and make it into something special. Traditions allow us be connected to something bigger than ourselves. This little celebration of enjoying a baked good with family is something that brings us together, but also reminds us that we are connected with all those who came before and hopefully with future generations as well. Traditions are never ending and evolving.
What are the traditions you celebrate with your family? How have they evolved over the years? Recognize that these traditions are the legacy you are building with your family, friends and community!
Merry Christmas,
Nick