We’re fast approaching the time of year that some view with
great anticipation and excitement.
Others view it with an attitude more like that when in the dentist
office waiting for a root canal. The
Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season can be the most exciting and pleasant
time of the year for some. But for
others, the holidays bring back memories better left forgotten, or bring with
them the inevitable family quarrels and struggles. This time also brings shortened days, which
can lead to a very real physiological reaction known as Seasonal Affective
Disorder.
I don’t know how you and your family react to the
holidays. For the Planks, it’s a time of
family dinners, get-togethers, present exchanges, and celebrating the grace and
goodness of God in our lives. We make a
big deal out of Thanksgiving, and enjoy the nieces, nephews, and grand kids as
they experience the wonder of Christmas.
We have traditions that we repeat year after year which are important to
us as a family.
One of those traditions is song. At virtually all of our family gatherings, we
sing. The Doxology is a must-sing. We also will sometimes sing other songs out
of the older genre of hymns that we mostly all know…many of which are imbedded
into our minds from long, long ago during the acappella days at the old
Pleasant Valley church in Harper. It’s a
special time for us, and we hope to pass the tradition along to those in our
family who come after us. Those who have
married into the family, or have been adopted have quickly caught on and join
in.
I don’t know what your family traditions are during this
time of year. But I’d like for you to
take some time this week and just think about some things that are traditional
with you…how the tradition started, why you continue it, and what the value of
the tradition is.
My prayer for you is that you will discover anew the wonder
that is the love and grace of God this season.
Whatever your tradition—however you celebrate—do so with a grateful
heart and joyful spirit.
