Christmas is first and foremost a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It also serves as a time to honor long-standing family traditions, those handed down through the generations and lovingly kept alive in memory of our loved ones.

With that in mind, the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and Gates County Index want to publish stories that are rich in Christmas tradition. It could be as simple as a certain ornament (or ornaments) passed down through generations that are hung each year on your tree. Or it could be a special recipe, still intact on a well-worn piece of paper, handed down by your ancestors that you still prepare each Christmas. Or it could be that your family has a tradition of helping those less fortunate during this most wonderful time of the year.

The possibilities are endless for these types of warm-hearted stories.

We want to hear your story. In 500 words or less, please email your Christmas tradition story to cal.bryant@r-cnews.com. Be sure to include your name and hometown as well as sharing information on how this particular tradition began (to include the names of your ancestors). If there is a photo (or photos) available to help tell your story, attach those (as stand-alone JPEG images) to the same email.

These stories will publish the week of Christmas (either in our Dec. 23 or Dec. 25 editions). The deadline to have the copy/photos to us is Friday, Dec. 19.

Thanks in advance for letting us share with our readers your special holiday traditions. Merry Christmas to all!