TRADITION

Our family's Christmas tradition is a funny picture-- Front row--Heather, Noah, Chris, Bobbi; Second row-- Samantha, Andrew, Jessie, Jessica, Jennifer; Back row--Natalie, Jes. Photo by Heather.

Family togetherness can be enhanced by Christmas traditions.  In my growing up years I enjoyed attending a candlelight Christmas Eve service with my family. In my mind we always sang "Joy to the World," as it was the only Christmas carol I knew the alto to. My relatives in San Diego have a "Christmas Adam" tradition.  It takes place on December 23 as Adam came before Eve. Cousin Becky explains it --

Thats the Jack Horner Pie. Something our family/ancestors first started doing when they were crossing the country on the Oregon trail. It started with a big milk pan and the family would each make small xmas gifts like corn husk dolls etc for each other. Then tie a string to it with the receivers name on a tag and put all the gifts in the pan with a pretend pie crust and black bird vent in the top. The family all takes their tags up and then recites the poem. "Little Jack Horner sat in a corner eating his Christmas Pie. He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum, and said what a good boy am I" And then everyone pulls out their gifts all at the same time. Just a special fun event everyone looks forward to each year.

Other countries have interesting activities for Christmas. In a Christmas Eve sermon Pastor Andy Lewis of Mitchell Road Presbyterian church in Greenville, SC told about some of the traditions around the world for Christmas.  If you would like to hear them click here to listen. 

Traditions can comfort us and cheer us; but the most important tradition in the world is remembering Jesus who being God came to earth,  was born a baby,  grew up to pay the price for our sins, and defeated death, so that we may live forever with God.  When we see Him we will be like Him as we will see Him as He is.  

II Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.