My Christmas Memories From Big Oak Ranch

My first Christmas at the Ranch was in 1994 and I was 10 years old. It was my first of many years to go to the Alabama Theatre for White Christmas, a Girls’ Ranch tradition that we all loved. The summer before that, we went to the Alabama Theatre for My Fair Lady and that was so much fun, but at Christmas, with all the decorations and seeing White Christmas, it was magical! I have watched White Christmas every year since, and in recent years, gone back to the Alabama Theatre with one of my Ranch sisters Trinity Bundrum. It was great to be able to share the memories and time during the holidays with her.

Another Ranch tradition was the Phi Mu Christmas Party at The University of Alabama. College students would take time to host us for dinner. Athletes would visit and talk with us, sharing stories and encouraging us to do our best in school and extracurricular activities. Phi Mu would give each of us a sorority t-shirt, commemorating the Christmas Party. My Ranch sisters and I were so excited to wear our UofA, Phi Mu Christmas t-shirts throughout the following year.

For many years, my Ranch sisters and I participated in Shop with a Cop through the Fraternal Order of Police. This is where the police officers from Jefferson County would take us to Walmart early in the morning, and spend their hard-earned money on us to be able to buy presents for our families. Then we would all go to breakfast. I am so thankful that I have those memories.

During a weekend every December, host families from Shades Mountain Baptist Church would plan meals, Christmas activities, and games that would give us all a weekend retreat. They opened their homes and hearts to us and it made the Christmas season feel even more like a time of giving and family gatherings.

“I do not take these memories at the Ranch for granted.”

We would always look forward to the BOR Christmas Banquet. It was such a fun night in Birmingham and the banquet space had so many Christmas decorations. We would all be dressed up in festive attire. We were able to meet many donors and spend time with those who gave towards our care throughout the year.

Living at the Ranch for over 10 years, it was always fun watching new sisters come to the Ranch and experience making a Christmas wish list for the first time and then having wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree in our home. Christmas morning was always big, loud, and exciting in my Ranch home!

My favorite Christmas memory at Big Oak has to be our Big Oak Family Christmas Gathering. The entire Ranch, all the homes, and staff would be there. For years this rotated between Boys’ Ranch and Girls’ Ranch. We would sing Christmas carols. Sometimes Ranch staff and houseparents would do funny Christmas skits. The office and gym would be completely decorated for Christmas. We would have family pictures all around the office Christmas tree. Every single year we would end the night with a candle ceremony. We all had a single candle and the lights in the room were dimmed. Mr. John would tell the Christmas Story, sharing the news of Christ; what our Christmas season is really all about. He would always say how the light of Christ lit up a dark world, one candle would be lit…then another. Everyone was encouraged to light the candle of the person seated next to them, symbolizing how the light of Christ shines in each of us to be shared with all around us. Watching the room, usually the gym, go from one single light to the whole room engulfed with light just shows how the love of Christ can spread one by one. Then we ended the night by singing Silent Night all together. The feeling of this important tradition stays with me to this day.

I do not take these memories at the Ranch for granted. To everyone who has made them possible, thank you. Now I share these memories with my family. The light of Christ carries on in me, not just during the Christmas season, but always.

Kristy