CREATING HOLIDAY RHYTHMS

& TRADITIONS

 

“Creating spiritual rhythms in your household is something that can be done year-round. It is finding practical, everyday ways to point your family to Christ. Holidays create the opportunity to make spiritual rhythms and traditions your family will remember and look forward to with each year.

 

The most applicable passage for the importance of creating spiritual rhythms and traditions is Deuteronomy 6:4-9:

 

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

STEP ONE

Determine the Purpose

 

What is the purpose behind the holiday you are celebrating? Is it an opportunity to point your family to Jesus? Decide what you want your family to reflect on and remember about the holiday you are focusing on.

In “Treasuring God in Our Traditions” Noel Piper says our traditions are:

  • Remembering what God did for his people, for us
  • giving glory to God for what he’s done,
  • so generations will know him.

STEP TWO

Determine a Rhythm or Tradition

 

What do you want to accomplish this holiday? Make it easy, but memorable. Rhythms and traditions do not have to wait until children are in the picture. They can be done in your walk as a single person, without children, or with grown children. While some rhythms and traditions are more geared toward children, there are plenty of rhythms and traditions that can start at any life stage.

STEP THREE

Make it Accessible and Plan

 

The Deuteronomy passage talks about loving the Lord in ways that make the rhythms accessible and visual. “Tie them; write them; bind them” all require planning to accomplish. Decide for what you want to do and put it in an accessible place, so you do not lose sight.

GOING FURTHER

RESOURCES

 

Treasuring God in Our Traditions

by Noel Piper

Downloadable for free on desiringGod.org

 

CrossPoint Counsel

CrossPoint staff loves to partner with families to help you create rhythms and traditions in your home.

GOING FURTHER

IDEAS

 

Birthdays – Write a letter to your loved one recapping the year. Share your joys and things you love about that person.

Bless someone else on your birthday. Find an organization you love and serve or give toward the cause.

 

Easter– Make resurrection rolls.

Focus on each day of Holy Week by reading what was happening with Jesus on that particular day. If you have children, you can act these stories out.

 

Thanksgiving– Throughout the year write down ways God has blessed you and things you are thankful for. Place these thoughts in a mason jar. On Thanksgiving, read through the blessings of the year.

 

Christmas – Read Luke 2 on Christmas morning and end with prayer. Do this as a first step in the morning before opening presents.

Save your Christmas cards and pray for the people on your cards throughout the year.

Attend Candles, Carols, and Communion with your loved ones.

 

New Years – Discuss your goals with your family. Decide of action to accomplish your goals.

 

Vacations– Allow each family member to have the opportunity to lead a devotion each night on vacation.