At my house, we open presents after our Christmas Eve service, which ends at midnight. So it is Christmas Day. We also get to sleep in too.
Over the years I have seen a number of Christmas traditions. Going to Disney World on Christmas Day. Being at Grandmas house or cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving and a ham for Christmas. Enjoying your aunts' favorite dessert or your mothers' green bean casserole dish. Real vs. fake Christmas trees.
But why do you do these things? I suspect that if you were to ask a few questions you would discover the, "why" behind each tradition. Usually, there is history that goes with the tradition. You may not know what it is.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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 He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
These are the verses that I read every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper - Communion. Why do we celebrate the Lord's Supper? To remember what He did for us on the cross so long ago? Why do we celebrate Christmas? To remember what He did for us by coming to earth as one of us. Some call these traditions, but they are more than that. They have history. A history that saves us from our sins and provides for our needs every day.
Tradition is good. If you remember why you are doing it. Give meaning to your traditions this year. Remember what God has done for you and share it with others.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, may everything I do honor you every day. AMEN
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