In our Iowa Living magazines this month, our cover stories feature residents of each community and their memories of Christmases past compared to how they celebrate today. It is a wonderful collection of holiday memories and traditions passed along through generations.

Those of us who grew up in Midwest communities share many of these same Christmastime experiences. Decorating the Christmas tree. Baking lots of sweets. Gathering of family. Opening of Christmas presents. Eating traditional foods. Attending a Christmas service at a church — and recognizing that the birth of Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas.

We are also reminded that our neighbors today may look and act a little different than we are used to. Different traditions. Different meal choices. Different definitions of family. And a different interpretation of Christmas. Not wrong. Just different.

Those of us who honor Jesus should know that we need to work to understand, accept and even appreciate those with different views and lifestyles than our own. That doesn’t mean that we should abandon, deny or feel guilty about our own traditions and beliefs about Christmas. Unfortunately, we live in a world today when saying something as simple “Merry Christmas” is somehow offensive, which is the exact opposite of the intention.

For most of us, saying “Merry Christmas” is an uncomplicated invitation to family, friends and people we don’t even know yet to enjoy and celebrate the Christmas season — in any way they see fit. Let there be no doubt, I will be celebrating Christmas, and I hope you are able to as well.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir. And folks dressed up like Eskimos.”

Yes, I am listening to “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole as I write this column, and I am reminded that “although it’s been said many times, many ways… Merry Christmas to you.”

Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

Monday, Dec. 13
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Best Local Korean Food
1. Sook’s Korean Kitchen
2. Mandarin Kitchen
3. Basic Bird

[...]

No place like home for the Leeper family

By Lindsey Giardino

Heather Leeper was born and raised in Bondurant.

Her parents bought a home in 1990, where Leeper and her sister grew up. They both graduated from Bondurant-Farrar High School before moving away for college.

Leeper then met her husband, Jared, who was also from a small town. After they married and wanted to start a family, the couple talked about returning to either his or her hometown, where they hoped to settle down.

The couple ultimately decided on Bondurant, so, in March this past year, they purchased a new D.R. Horton home in the Quail Run development — an area that was all cornfields when Leeper was in high school. The house has three levels, which is exactly what the family was looking for.

[...]

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Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx, Steve Buscemi, Dick Van Dyke, NeNe Leakes, Amy Lee, Ted Nugent, Rickie Fowler

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to:tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com