Family Traditions: A Glimpse into Christmas Future

by Tricia Goyer

Have you ever thought about family traditions? As I helped
my 1-year-old place ornaments on the Christmas tree this year I imagined her
doing the same thing with her children—and maybe even grandchildren—one day.
Traditions are beliefs and customs handed down through generations. By sharing
meaningful moments with your kids you’re sending yourself into the future. How
amazing is that?

Sharing family traditions cause us to slow down from the
busy, adult world for a while. We ignore the laundry to set out the nativity
set with our kids. We set aside time in our schedules to drive around and look
at Christmas lights.

Holiday traditions aren’t only fun, they also help strength
family bonds. Through traditions kids trust in the security of family unit.
They think, “This is our family and this is what I do.” Of course, the most
important thing to share isn’t just what we do … but why. Why do we put out a
nativity? To remind us the real meaning of the season—Jesus coming to earth.
What do the Christmas lights represent displayed on homes and on trees? They
represent the Light of the World, Jesus.

Using traditions to bond our families and share our
faith isn’t new. I love these two Scriptures that talk about that
very thing.

Exodus 12:25 says, “When you enter the land that the LORD
will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony.”

Psalm 78:4 says, “We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power,
and the wonders he has done.”

What are you’re traditions? Here are a few of ours:

Baking a Birthday cake for Jesus

Buying a new ornament every year for each child

Acting out the Christmas story (with props!)

Praying together before opening presents

What are your traditions? Write a list
and appreciate them in a new way this year. Then ask, “If I could add one new
tradition this holiday season, what would it be?” I’d love to hear what you
choose! It also makes me smile to think of your children’s grandchildren doing
the same.

Tricia Goyer is a CBA best-selling
author and the winner of two American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the
Year Awards (Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights). She co-wrote 3:16 Teen
Edition with Max Lucado and contributed to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Also
a noted marriage and parenting writer, she lives with her husband and children
in Arkansas. www.triciagoyer.com

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from some of today’s most beloved writer’s (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

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