What do you think of when the word tradition is mentioned?
One family watches opening day of the Cincinnati Reds with everyone wearing a team T-Shirt(yes I live in Ohio). Another plays football on Thanksgiving. July 4th is always a cookout with hamburgers and hot dogs. Other types of traditions include birthday’s and blowing out the candles. I call my kids at the time they were born for their birthday. Traditions like Friday pizza night. Sunday we go to church. Ham should be baked with cloves and pineapple. Why? Because my mom did it that way.
Tradition! First thought, in my head, is the song from the movie Fiddler on the Roof. And the song goes:
Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years. Here we have traditions for everything… how to eat, how to sleep, even, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl… This shows our constant devotion to God.
Go ahead you who know, sing it with me….Tradition!!!!! Tradition!
Tradition brings balance and it is for remembrance. It establishes who you are, the culture you were raised, and helps to form the unity between the generations. Tradition, is a good thing. New ones, with your own family, friends, church, even yourself are good too.
Are some of them completely ridiculous? Yep…sorta like the polar bear challenge where you strip down and jump in literal ice water (this girl’s opinion).
Are some of them vital and important? Yes, like who my family is and why we do what we do. If you don’t know in your family, you should ask. Some of the answers may surprise you.
Are some for fun? Yep and keeps us connected.
Are some just for you? Yes, like birthday celebrations.
Are some for others? Yes so grandma feels good about the ham you don’t like.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
What were they taught? It’s the stuff that Christianity is made of.
Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Some of the best traditions are not things, but are how we treat each other and how we treat our God. Pass down to the next generations, kindness, thoughtfulness, goodness, mercy, acceptance, and the one that encompasses them all-
God may we love the way you love us.