The tradition of a little tradition …

It’s December, the time of year when you often find a big smile on the faces of those Christians who are proponents of tradition. That’s because this is the primary time of year when their dissident brothers and sisters — those Christians who insist everything be unconventional, culturally hip, and state-of-the-art — break out a little tradition of their own.

It’s okay, go ahead and strike a pose in that funky Christmas sweater, no one will tell and you’ll still be uber cool!

Whether you prefer tradition or living the latest as of two minutes ago, most of us have some kind of tradition regarding our observance of the holidays that reach back to some of our richest childhood memories. Some have added to those traditions with new ones as they became adults and started their own families.

Tradition has value by linking beneficial experiences from our past to our present and our hopes for the future; it helps provide a cord of continuity for us as our lives unfold.

Even the Apostle Paul, who wrote profoundly of the newness of life the believer has, understood the value of a little tradition.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us,” 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

May God bless you with sweet memories as you worship Him this Christmas season!

Scotty