Passing Down Traditions

How important are traditions?  My family has several traditions around Christmas time.  Over the years of our marriage, some of the traditions have changed somewhat.  We have a Nativity scene that takes a prominent place in our Christmas decorations.  For years, I would refuse to place the Wise Men in the Nativity scene.  Instead, I would find a shelf, bookcase, or table somewhere to the east of the Nativity scene and place the three Wise Men there.  Laura would beg me to put the Wise Men in the Nativity scene.  After about 7 or 8 years, I finally gave in and allowed the tradition to change. 

There are some traditions that will never change.  I can almost envision my grandchildren gathering around Laura, just as our boys have done on Christmas Eve since Ethan was a baby, to hear her read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  The way that my dear wife reads that story every year is spell binding.  She may enjoy it more than the boys do.  After that story, I read the Christmas Story from Luke 2.  After we finish reading about the birth of Christ, we have family prayer.  

Christmas day will start another round of traditions.  We'll get up early (though not as early as we used to, at some point, the boys started sleeping later), and open presents.  I'll sip on a cup of coffee, and watch my family open their presents.  Laura will finally insist that it's "Daddy's turn to open one," even though, I'd just as soon sit and watch all of them open their presents first.  We'll finish opening presents and then my OCD will kick in and I'll clean up all the paper, ribbons, boxes, and bows.  

At some point, before we go to have Christmas dinner with the rest of the family, I'll find myself sitting alone thinking about my mother and how she loved Christmas.  I've got the glass figurine that my sisters and I affectionately call "Mama's Christmas Lady" sitting on my shelf.  I'll find myself staring at, wishing I could tell my Mom "Merry Christmas" one more time.  

Traditions are important because they are what make us families.  These rituals are the ties that bind us together.  Whether your tradition involves singing Christmas carols, watching those classic movies, or just spending time quietly together, don't take them for granted.  One day, those traditions will mean the world to you.  

I can still remember opening presents on Christmas morning, and seeing my Mom sitting in the corner just watching her children.  Traditions are handed down generation after generation.  What are you handing down to your children?  Will my boys grow into men that will be sitting in the corner watching their families open presents?  I can only hope so.  Thanks Mom, for passing that tradition down to me, I have been blessed beyond measure.  

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!  May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and traditions.  

Psst! It's a Secret!

Psst.  Can I tell you a secret?  It's two weeks from Christmas day and I'm a bit depressed.  During this time of year that we are supposed to be jolly and merry, I find myself depressed.  This is going to be a challenging year for my family.  This year will mark the first anniversary of my mother-in-law going to Heaven. This year also marks the first anniversary of my wife's grandmother's home going.  And yes, I'm finding myself struggling a bit with depression.  Oh, and need I add to this the fact that my sister-in-law and her family moved back to their mission field of Argentina early this fall?

I'm not a Scrooge or a Grinch, we've decorated the house, hung the stockings with care, and the front yard is all aglow with icicle lights and yard decorations.  Just the other day I wore a Santa hat to work.  From all outward appearances, it should be a Merry Christmas.

But the truth?  I find myself on the verge of tears every now and then.  I find myself sighing deeply. Instead of feeling merry, I feel melancholy.  Usually, buying presents for my loved ones brings me great joy, but this year, part of me feels like I am just going through the motions.

Do you know what I've realized over the last couple of days?  It's okay.  Believe it or not, it's okay to feel  depressed.  Why?  Because it's an honest emotion.  A couple of weeks ago, I posted a mini Facebook rant about pride and how God hates pride.

That post has stuck in my mind and I've come to the conclusion just a few moments ago why it is sticking in my mind.  I was being too proud to admit to myself that I was going through a bout of depression.

Do you know that the Bible teaches us about how to handle depression?  Oh, it's wonderful.  Let me set the context for you.  David and his men are hiding in plain sight among the Philistines.  The Philistines decide to go to war against Israel and don't want David to have any part of that battle so they send him and his men home to Ziklag.

When David and his men get home, they find that their city of Ziklag has been attacked and set fire, but even worse their families have been kidnapped.  David's men get terribly upset and they blame David--in fact, they're about to stone him when we read the verse of 1 Samuel 30:6 "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

Did you catch it?  Reread that verse.  When David was distressed, which the dictionary defines as experiencing extreme sorrow and discomfort, notice what he did. . . He encouraged himself in the Lord!  The very next verses tell us that David called for the priest and they prayed!  

So, we'll have a Merry Christmas.  The boys will be excited about their presents.  My lovely wife will hopefully enjoy the gifts I am getting her.  (Yes dear, I have started your Christmas shopping.)  I may be a bit depressed, my smile may be a bit wistful.  But I'll spend some time praying and encouraging myself in the Lord, and it will be okay. 

If you find yourself depressed this time of the year, give yourself a Christmas present and realize, it's okay to be depressed.  It's okay.  Admit you're struggling and seek the Lord's help.  

Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.