Exodus 12:14 – “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
We called her “Munder” because when my brothers and I were first learning to talk, we couldn’t pronounce all the syllables in grandmother. She lived several hours away, and I always looked forward to visiting her, especially during the holidays. More than anything else, I remember how spending time with her made me feel loved and cared for. I was her only granddaughter, so I think that brought about an extra-special connection between us.
One of the things I remember most was the meals and treats Munder made. She grew raspberries along her fence, and my brothers and I would help her pick them. With these raspberries, Munder made jelly, which she spread on thin French pancakes called crepes. She rolled the crepes into a flute shape and sprinkled them with powdered sugar. To this day, every time I eat a raspberry or a crepe, I think of her.
Munder has since gone on to be with the Lord. It’s incredible how little things make me remember her, especially the holiday traditions she passed on to us that she learned from her own mother. Since she passed, my family has tried to include many of Munder’s recipes on our menu. I’m grateful that I have her handwritten recipe cards so I can replicate her specialties for my family. It makes me feel like I’m still with her in the kitchen. No holiday is complete unless nutmeg logs, snickerdoodles, and nighty-night cookies are on the dessert table.
It’s not just Munder’s jelly, crepes, and cookies that have been passed down through the generations. It is the importance she placed on gathering as a family, having meaningful conversations, using every activity as an opportunity for connection, and sharing the Christian faith. While our festivities usually involved food, decorations, and presents, the Lord was at the center of our celebrations. This is what tradition can do.
God himself instituted certain holidays and traditions. In the Old Testament, he established several annual holidays for celebration, fellowship, and worship. He placed the Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Offering of Firstfruits, the Festival of Weeks, the Festival of Trumpets, the Festival of Tabernacles, and the Day of Atonement on Israel’s calendar (Leviticus 23; Numbers 28–29). These holidays provided a time for the Israelites to refresh themselves and renew their commitment to God. During these feasts, family members of all ages were reminded of his work in their lives. But tradition for tradition’s sake is just another ritual. The true heart of these traditions is connection to God and those around us.
This was true in biblical times and remains true today. Holidays and traditions are annual reminders of what God has done, and they give us opportunities to connect with others. It’s important to develop traditions in our families to serve as reminders for the older people and learning experiences for the younger ones.
Do you have any traditions, special dates, activities, or places that help you commemorate significant events in your life? Especially those events where God has done something for you? While traditions often revolve around major events such as the birth and resurrection of Jesus, they can also serve to celebrate personal moments—the little things maybe only you would recognize, such as how God answered a certain prayer, supplied for your need, or made himself incredibly known to you.
As Scripture shows, God cares about our connection with him and with others, and we can choose to continue time-honored traditions. Think about the heritage you want to pass down to your family and the significance your customs hold. How can you tell others of God’s faithfulness by creating a new tradition of your own or by continuing a tradition that was passed on to you? Whatever traditions you and I practice, I pray they are rooted in biblical truth and keep God at the forefront so future generations can connect with Him and connect with each other. Because if there is anything worth passing on, it is Him.
Your Little Task
What is your favorite tradition? Be intentional about connecting to God and others as you commemorate these special occasions.
Prayer Prompt
Lord, thank you for creating traditions and holidays to commemorate special events. You are worthy of our celebration. May I keep your traditions alive so future generations will know of your greatness as well as your goodness. Amen.
(This is an excerpt from “A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life.”)
About the Author:
Author of A Little Goes a Long Way and Everyday Prayers for Love, Rachael Adams, hopes to help women realize God’s love and purpose for their lives. She and her husband, Bryan, live in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, Crosswalk, Proverbs 31, Today Parenting, and YouVersion. Connect with her by visiting rachaelkadams.com, searching @rachaeladamsauthor on Instagram and Facebook, and tuning in to The Love Offering podcast every Tuesday on your favorite listening platform.
Check out Rachael’s book, “A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life,” at Rachael’s Amazon Storefront.
