Creating and celebrating family traditions are wonderful ways to stir up memories and leave a legacy for your family, and this next month or so is an ideal time to create those traditions. In my experience, children and teenagers typically want what is new, novel and different… except when it comes to the occasions we celebrate as special family holidays. Suddenly, the smallest change becomes a serious breach of protocol! Perhaps even the little ones know that some things are worth hanging on to. Certainly, there is security in knowing that some things do not change.

Traditions actually create “teachable moments.” Old Testament Scriptures demonstrate the power of tradition and remembrance. God gave these instructions in Exodus 12: "Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD…”

In that same spirit, here are some suggestions that may be helpful as you create your own memorable moments:

1. Seek out common activities with uncommon meaning. Set an extra place at the holiday table as a simple reminder of Christ’s presence. Send a card to a nursing home resident. Bring cookies to a neighbor. Look for simple things that will remind the participants of eternal truths, such as sharing a favorite Scripture, word of thanks or blessing around the Thanksgiving dinner table, or singing certain favorite carols before opening Christmas presents.
2. Make your traditions as uncomplicated as possible. Events requiring too much investment of time, money and energy are difficult to sustain through the years. Expensive doesn’t equate with meaningful. In fact, children are often NOT impressed with what we as adults consider impressive. Again, keep it simple.
3. Many of the traditional feasts and celebrations of the Bible are somehow connected to food. Think about ways that special meals or recipes can be linked up with the holidays, like Grandma’s marshmallow sweet potatoes. But beware, once established, you leave out these traditional courses at your peril. Children will remember!
4. Mix the expected with the element of surprise. Just because something is traditional doesn’t mean it has to be exactly the same every year. My brother and I had a tradition of trying to figure out ahead of time where our parents had stashed our Christmas presents. It was an annual game, and our parents were very innovative, especially the year when our gifts were hidden under our own beds.
5. Involve everyone in the tradition. A good memory-maker is one in which all in the family can participate. If you want to start a new holiday tradition, let the whole family be in on the discussion, from great-grandpa on down. You might hear ideas from sources that will surprise you!

And whatever you do, remember that the strength of traditions is the meaning behind them. Talk about the “why,” as well as the “what.” It is then that tradition becomes teachable moment, and teachable moment becomes legacy.

Our broadcast today was sponsored by Diamond Express Custom Cleaning. Call 759-2006 to get your home or business ready for the holidays.