Today we are talking about traditions.  We are entering the holiday season, which often carries so many special traditions for families and kids: whether it’s a tradition you’ve carried through your childhood that you were raised with, or one you’ve implemented with your kids.  

 

I love the many traditions I grew up with and the new ones I’ve started with my family.  In fact, one of my favorites as a mom is: I have four elves that come and visit my children and my husband.  Now I’m gonna tell you the elves came from the Dollar Store, not the North Pole, but let’s just keep that between us!  The elves come right after Thanksgiving and they bring little gifts on random days. Sometimes it’s candy, sometimes it’s little trinkets.  It is so fun to watch my 18 year old son run up the stairs to look to see if his elf, Vernon, has left him any gifts for the day. This tradition is something that’s been helpful for us to celebrate the season of Christmas.  

“They put so much emphasis on their traditions and their religious laws, that they forgot why Jesus was even here in the first place: which was to teach us about God’s love, grace and mercy.”

The holiday season is a really busy time and we tend to get caught up with a lot of different “things” and activities.  Instilling this tradition allows us to have a little bit of fun together and engage with one another. Sometimes with traditions we put so much value on the tradition itself, “And I can’t miss this, and if this doesn’t happen, then Christmas is never going to be the same.”  But we forget why we even started the tradition in the first place, which probably had a very meaningful purpose behind it of connecting and engaging. In fact, that’s what the Pharisees did. They put so much emphasis on their traditions and their religious laws, that they forgot why Jesus was even here in the first place: which was to teach us about God’s love, grace and mercy.  

 

Again, I love traditions, in fact, I would love to hear about your traditions so we can share ideas with one another.  But don’t forget what it is that you’re celebrating and why!

 

Check out the Gold Creek Community Church Pinterest page for some fun Tradition ideas and Christmas Activities you can start with your family this year!