Holiday Traditions

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter -- even anniversaries and birthdays -- all have on thing in common. They bring out traditions.

Traditions are important in our lives. They bring memories of past holidays and celebration. Stories are told of other times when family and friends gathered together.

In carrying out traditions children learn about their heritage, their family’s history. They hear of the struggles of their ancestors and how they overcame them to succeed in providing for their families.

Sharing stories of past events also teaches children how to solve problems they encounter. They learn about determination, perseverance, commitment, dedication.

Children also learn about sharing what they have with those who are less fortunate. They learn about showing kindness, compassion, and concern to others. And they learn about all the ways they can help not only the people in their surroundings, but their communities as well.

Recently, as one of my granddaughters was helping me to make a pastry that is traditional for me, I told her that what she was doing had been done by others for several hundreds of years in my family. She smiled and replied, “I know. And I want to learn a lot more from you.”

Every family has particular foods that are served at the holidays and for celebrations. And behind every dish there is a story that stretches back over the generations. It’s important to share those stories. By sharing them, you are helping to preserve family history.

May your Christmas bring the eternal light into your lives and your celebration be one of love, peace, joy and laughter. And don’t forget to share memories of other Christmases with each other.