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Tradition, in many ways, has become a negative word in today’s society. The new forces its way in at every corner, and it just seems like we don’t have time for so many things we used to hold dear. Maybe it’s the erosion of family values, maybe it’s what seems to be the never-ending attack on Christian values, but whatever it is, traditions are disappearing.
Some critics may find this a good thing; after all, Jesus bucked tradition at every turn. Not so fast. Jesus didn’t want tradition that went against God’s law, but when it came to His family and friends, He was all about tradition. He knew the importance of keeping those traditions alive because it helped keep family and love alive, and He was very much for that.
Growing up I didn’t have too many traditions. My mom and dad are divorced and that makes keeping traditions much more difficult. Of course you can, it just becomes even more of a chore because keeping traditions can be work. But anything worth having always does take a little work.
I learned tradition from my wife’s family. They may be the best in the country at keeping tradition. I really began to learn this before Pam and I were even married. Because of this love of tradition that my wife has always had and I learned, my kids only know a family full of traditions. It has become a part of who they are. My daughter has carried this love of tradition into her marriage as well.
Holding on to tradition helps you hold on to ones you love. It is a super busy time right now for me. My team has played 21 games in 26 days, and on top of that I’m trying to keep up with teaching, getting my masters, volunteering in several areas for church, home chores, and so much more. Like many of us deal with, the busyness of our lives can be overwhelming. So when my wife tells me we are going apple picking on a Sunday afternoon that I actually have a minute and really just want to chill and watch football, my immediate response is “seriously?”.
However, when my brain, and more importantly my heart, slows down for a second, I remember the great times we have had apple picking over the years. I remember how lucky I am that my 24-year-old loves this and has folded her husband right into our tradition. I remember that my 19-year-old son has taken off work, just so he can go with us. I remember just how blessed I am and how much I love these days with the people who fill my heart with joy and love.
This is just one of many traditions that we have throughout the year, but it is certainly a favorite. Like I said, as a kid I didn’t really get traditions like this, but what I did get was the importance of the Lord. This is something both my wife and I were lucky enough to have instilled in us at a young age.
Love for the Lord isn’t a tradition per se, but like a tradition, it is something that parents can pass on to their children. Parents can show kids that Jesus is love, and His word and church matter. Of course, kids will come to a point where they have to make their own decisions, but there really is no better “tradition” than the love of Jesus. If it is shared with our families just like Grandma’s pumpkin chiffon pie at Thanksgiving, then when it comes time to make their own decision, that love will be rooted in every part of their being.
If Christ is the first tradition you keep in your family, and you make it even more important than apple picking, birthday dinners, or watching fireworks on the fourth, hopefully, those other traditions fall right in line. Even if you’re like my family growing up and traditions weren’t a priority, if Jesus is instilled, then your kids will know how to love, and the traditions will take care of themselves.
So as we draw near to three months of fall and holidays make sure if you don’t have any family traditions you start some. Maybe go look at changing leaves together, have a movie marathon of spooky films, sip some hot cocoa by the fire pit. Whatever you do, do it with the people you love and do it again next year. No matter what, put Jesus at the center and your traditions will keep going and going. Until next month…
