My Journey’s My Own

A Devotional

They are a dime a dozen. Sometimes driven by where you live, how you were raised, and definitely if you’re a part of an organized religion. To some they are as important as breathing, to others they are simply a way of life. To many, they are precious and a reminder of those who came before and a way to remember them. 

As the holiday season approaches, traditions begin. Tree hunting and trimming, decorating, programs at school or church, gift buying, food that’s prepared, people we see, games played, even the scent of the home. 

Traditions are ageless. Given to each generation from the last as a way to hand down stories, recipes, and ways to do things so they weren’t lost to time. Before the written word was common in everyone’s home, it was the only way to preserve a family’s history. 

My mother loved tradition and it would really upset her when we didn’t cherish them as much as she did. Her childhood was wonderful though tumultuous too. So I feel that her traditions just meant a little more to her. She had this special set of goblets that were only used on holidays. They weren’t crystal or anything, but special to her. After she passed away, we honestly have no idea where they went (sad I know). But I wanted them. It occurred to me that it didn’t matter if it was the actual set I remember from my childhood or not, just the glasses themselves. So I searched for them, and found them. $50.00 later I have the same pattern and they come out at the holidays. I have re-created a tradition from my childhood that was precious to me and to my mom. 

Making new ones is important too. Some don’t have those memories to go by. Or maybe they aren’t good ones and don’t bear repeating. 

Make new ones! 

When our eldest was born we started buying her an ornament every year. A tradition we continued for each child and for each other. Once the tree got so full, we started rotating a smaller tree for one person to put all their ornaments on each year, to free up some space and to make that person feel special. But traditions can be created and they can evolve. We’ve now given our eldest her ornaments now that she’s married. Now that our son has gone to heaven the little tree is permanently his. Every year it will hold his 16 ornaments. We will start buying our grandson ornaments for Grammy and Grandpa’s tree. Do what feels right for your family. Make it fit if it doesn’t already!

With the loss of our son we didn’t do Thanksgiving this year, a tradition that won’t be started I hope. But it was what we needed. We made no apologies for it. Our other kids and family were understanding and on board. Because that’s what needed to happen. 

Just be together. Do what needs to be done and cherish the memories that our ancestors left us. Make Great grandma’s special dish, drink Grandpas drink, burn Aunt Veera’s favorite candle scent! Drink it all in! They wouldn’t want you to forget just like we won’t want our kids and grandkids to forget us!

Actions/Questions

What’s your favorite tradition that you keep to this day unchanged?

If there’s a new tradition you’d like to start, is this the year you’ll do it?

If there’s a recipe you’d like to share, please do so in the comments with the name of the ancestor that handed it down!

Verses

“Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” 1 Cor 11:2

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings (traditions) we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” 2 Thes 2:15