Sunrise, Sunset- Swiftly Flow The Years...

 

One sunrise and sunset that seemed to make time stand still.

"Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as...as...as...a *fiddler* on the roof!" ~Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof

🌄 My sweet late father-in-law told the story of a woman who prepared her holiday ham by cutting off the end and placing it in the pan before putting it in the oven.  When her daughter began hosting the holiday meal, she did the same thing to the ham.  Then this woman's granddaughter carried on the tradition in her generation, carefully cutting off the end of the ham before putting it in the pan to bake it.  She asked her grandmother what the meaning was behind this tradition, and the grandmother said simply, "I didn't have a pan big enough to hold the whole ham, so I had to cut it."

As we kick off the holidays it's so fun to start preparing for our traditions.  I'm finding as I am officially "the grandmother" that I wished I would have started some traditions with my kids. 

When I was a kid my family didn't really have any traditions that I can think of, except for playing blackjack with our change after dinner.  Scoff if you will, but I learned my math skills from this.  And I had some fun game time with my dad.

🌄  I remember starting a lot of things, but as a busy mom I found that follow- through wasn't my strength.  The only tradition I've found I've established is forgetting where I hid the presents and forgetting the rolls in the oven.  My kids even count on this.  

As a grandma, however, I can have a fresh "do-over".  And, by the way, this doesn't just apply to grandmas.  There's no rule book that says as a mom you can't start them.  Or as a daughter, a neighbor, an aunt, or a friend.

🌄 Why start traditions?  What makes them so enticing even if they are inconvenient to adhere to?  According to an Oregon counseling website, traditions matter to our mental health because they give us structure and comfort, foster a sense of being and belonging, connect us with each other, and generally make people happier and healthier.

A tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with 

symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past.

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, is filled with rituals and ceremonies, and the Jewish people had century-old customs that are celebrated to this day.  Their purposes are deeply rooted in reminding them of the goodness and faithfulness of God, which is an AWESOME reason to practice them.  The danger with traditions is that you get so used to them their meaning can be in danger of being dulled.  Some of the Jewish people tended to let that happen to them time and time again in the OT.

Not judging them; just noticing how human they are.  Kind of like me.  

As Christians we have traditions- we take communion, get baptized, dedicate our children, celebrate Christmas as our Lord's entrance into this world as a human, and celebrate Easter as His resurrection after being crucified on a cross for our sins.  We worship at our church, study our bibles, and pray.  All of these traditions are life-giving.  

Sometimes traditions are for celebrating the goodness God has given us with family and friends.  I always put out this little Christmas tree that my gracious mother in law gave me years ago.  It reminds me of her. 

Some traditions don't seem as critical (decorating my tree, putting up my Christmas village, baking cookies, watching Christmas movies, preparing holiday meals) except for the fact that I want to spend time with my family and friends, be part of their lives, enjoy their company, and walk through life with them.  It's one way I can show my love for them.  

🌄 I want to make sure I am not "dulled" to any traditions I am participating in.  Measure each action, thought, response, tradition - whatever it is - by this verse:

Colossians 3:17  "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

The days go by so fast, and especially the holidays.  Be intentional about your traditions-

🂱 Slice/don't slice your ham, in a holiday meal shared with your family-they are precious.  

🂱 Go Christmas caroling, it might bring cheer to someone (besides you).  

🂱 Write your Christmas cards, to reach out to family & friends to let them know they are thought of. 

🂱 Do something kind without receiving credit, to encourage someone.  

🂱 Give a present, someone might need to feel significant.  

🂱 Feed another, because they are hungry.

🂱 Visit someone, because they might be lonely.

🂱 Invite someone, because they might need to feel included.

🂱 Donate clothes, because someone might be cold.

🂱 Buy a police officer a coffee, because you are being protected by them.

🂱 Notice someone else - with a compliment or note, because they just might need to be noticed.

🂱 Spend a little extra time with someone, just because they might need it.  Or you might.

 Some of these can be spontaneous, some might require a few minutes of planning or preparation.  All are completely doable, many don't cost money, but if done because you want someone to feel the love of Christ, none are in vain.  

What traditions do you have?  I'd love to hear about them in the comment section.  It would give others some great ideas and encourage us.

🌄 Enjoy the sunrises and sunsets of this season. 

✙ Heavenly Father, thank You for coming down from Your perfect heaven to live among us.  This upcoming season expand our hearts with more love for others than we've ever had.  Make our eyes see who needs to be seen.  Teach us to love on others better like You.  Make us intentional for You.  Amen.