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Traditions can build up or tear down.
My family had a number of traditions. One was at Christmas. Mom either cooked a
meal or prepared finger foods. When all were finished eating, we circled chairs
among the furniture in the living room, and everyone found a seat. The younger
members of the family busied themselves passing out gifts. After the last gift
was distributed, someone was selected to begin. They retrieved a gift, told whom
it was from, opened it, and showed everyone what it was. Then in either a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction, this same action was repeated.
Our family has grown and changed. Some members are no longer with us because of
divorce, death, or miles. Though the gathering is smaller, we continue the
tradition. For me, this tradition builds up our family. Since it is a slow
process, it gives time for stories to be told and memories to be reflected
upon-especially when Mom takes five minutes to open a present.
But not all traditions are healthy. Steven was a servant leader in the early
church. When arrested for preaching about a resurrected Jesus who he claimed was
God's Messiah, he addressed the high council and gave them a history lesson.
What brought down their wrath and resulted in his death was his pronouncement
that they were repeating the traditional unbelief of their ancestors. Both had
and were resisting God's Spirit who was pressing them to believe.
Along with the above Christmas tradition, we had other traditions in my
immediate home. Dad thought reading the Bible was important. We had family
devotions, and I saw him and Mom read their Bibles daily as well. Even down to
the boring genealogical tables. My parents also thought praying was a good
tradition. We boys were taught to pray before meals and before we went to bed.
Talking to God was imperative. And even if Dad had not been a pastor, we would
have been made to attend church regularly and often. Any time the doors were
open, it was critical for us to be there.
Traditions that draw us closer to God should be passed down to our families;
ones that hinder the process should be discarded. What family traditions are you
establishing?
Prayer: Father, guide us to godly traditions we can pass down through the
generations.
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