Traditions may change, but reason for season remains
"Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus …"
-- Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Christmas is a time for traditions.
We all have them. Most of us share the commonalties of trees boasting with colorful decorations covered with glowing lights.
Many traditions have been passed down through our families. We have special ways we like to trim the tree. Friends of mine collect special ornaments each year to trim their tree. Some people delight in showing off homemade ornaments constructed by their kids.
I have known others who enjoy sprucing up a tree with a particular theme. They might enjoy a tree trimmed with bright red bows one year and an angel theme the next. Some like the convenience of putting up artificial trees. Others enjoy the fresh evergreen aroma of a forest as they cut down a tree of their own or pick one up at the corner tree lot.
When I was young, my family used to gather together each Christmas Eve. In contrast, many of my friends didn't celebrate their festivities until Christmas morning.
Sometimes we carry on our traditions, and sometimes life's circumstances cause us to make a change.
Financial difficulties can limit our ability to give or decorate like we once did, or the loss of a loved one may alter the traditions of our celebration.
When my mother died we had to change the way we were used to doing things for years. We faced the challenge of change.
The first year, I offered my home and we all met together. We found it to be a time of going over fond memories as we processed through our grief. By the next year, my sisters, brother and I decided it was time to branch off and enjoy the season with our immediate families. Dad made the rounds to each home. From that year on, we settled into our new traditions.
Although there comes a time when our family traditions may change, may the true reason for celebrating the season never change. The one tradition of Christmas that lasts from generation to generation is that we observe the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
May we continue to share with friends and others the joyous celebration of Jesus the Savior of the world, the most pivotal moment in history.