In the hurrying of living, traditions sometimes get loss in the ‘new’ or ‘important’ other things. In our grandparents’ times, traditions were followed and imparted to the younger generations. I wonder when this practice stopped? And why? Not modern enough, the old things and thus not relevant? Wrong answers.
Exactly what is ‘tradition’? Webster says:
“the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction; cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions”
And yes, these are good, bad, and indifferent pieces. But they give a sense of continuity, whether or not you follow them. You know what your parents, grands, and great grands believed and acted upon. It provides a foundation from which to discover, grow, change. If you are over the age of 30, have you passed this on to your younger family and friends? Do they know what traditions marked your life – again, whether or not you continue to follow them? And… if you do follow them, are they relevant? And if you don’t follow them, do you know ‘why’?
Do you, your family honor any old traditions – for example, how special holidays are celebrated? Does it make any difference for you? Are you basically a ‘that was then, this is now’ type? Or do you think no one will really care… even if you do say something? There are actually over 31 scriptures that speak about tradition:
“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
“Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” (1 Corinthians 11:2)
“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons .”(Deuteronomy 4:9)
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
Obviously, from these selections, it is obvious that we should never use a ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’ frame of reference when it comes to traditions and following them. There are traditions that should be revered and taught to subsequent generations. When we don’t then we chip away at their foundations and only because they don’t know. Our action should be based in Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”
Traditions do have their place and an important one. So what traditions are you demonstrating and teaching the next generation?
