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TRADITIONS…. TRADITION!!

Hey friends, how are you today? How was your Easter weekend? Did you attend church service? What are a few of your Easter traditions? We do not have any in our household.  Easter egg hunting was not a ‘thing’ in the Caribbean when we were younger and somehow, we really never got into it, here.  This is one tradition that will probably not be passed on from one generation to the next.  In Guyana, where my husband was born, they fly kites and have kite competitions during the Easter break.  My husband made a few attempts to ‘tempt’ the girls into this tradition, but the girls were more interested in the finished product rather than the time-consuming making of the thing.  Apparently, part of this tradition is also the craftsmanship of the kite.  I am amazed at the complex artistry involved in kite making.  Who knew?!!  I suppose one could say our tradition involves food.  Traditionally we prepare what we call ‘fish cake’, similar to crab cakes, but prepared with salted cod fish.  My mom would make the most delicious fish cakes. I could still taste it. Unfortunately, this tradition will more than likely also not be cultivated in our household because salted cod fish is almost impossible to attain in my neck of the woods.  What are a few Easter traditions, you’ve been part of or attempted?

Traditions: a set of customs or beliefs passed on from one generation to the next. When the girls were younger, about 6 and 4, we began a program called Awana at our church.  Because my husband headed this activity, we usually left the church around 8:45 or 9:00pm every Wednesday.   We  were usually the last to leave, so we rewarded their patience with pizza afterward.  A few months later, the leer of the McDonald’s toy was too great, so McDonald kids’ meal, here we come.   The girls are now 22 and 20 and every Wednesday, when they are home, we still take them to get their McDonald’s fix.  We’ve moved on from a kid’s meal, but we are still here.   My husband is convinced, we will still provide this treat whenever they visit, even when they are married and have their own kids.   What do you think? 

That’s the thing about traditions, isn’t it? Most times, it’s the parents’ habits that are passed on to the next generation; the kids, sometimes without intentionality.  Habitually in our household, we begin the day with Bible devotion and prayer, sometimes together, but most times individually.  When the girls were younger, they joined us, during these times.   As they got older, we instilled in them the importance of time spent with the Lord, because the same was done with us, when we were younger.  We taught them the value of church attendance and service because again, the same example was demonstrated, when we were younger.  As kids, we were shown the significance of memorization of scripture, so we passed on that same belief to our kids. Discipline was big in our Caribbean household, when we were younger (and yes, proudly), I say we kept up that ‘tradition’.  Disrespectful thoughts should be kept to yourself and not said out loud.  

But then that’s the other thing about traditions; it deals primarily with the outside, does it not? It deals with the behavior or an activity.  Traditions, traditionally do not necessarily affect the heart of the person, simply because traditions become habits.   Yes… habits are brought about as a result of beliefs, but most times the beliefs are so linked to the tradition that the beliefs are buried under its weight.   Why do we do what we do? Do you know why and how this ‘tradition’ came to be? The truth is most of us do not think about it.   It’s just what we do.   Sometimes that’s ok but there are times, it’s not.  

The life of a Christian cannot be traditionally lived.   Knowledge can be passed down, events, activities can be passed down, even beliefs can be passed down, but change is personal and individualistic.  Habits may not necessarily draw us away from the Lord, but they do not draw us any closer to Him if we are not intentional on our actions.   

When the girls were younger, they were covered under the beliefs and behaviors of their parents, at their age, they are responsible for their own walk with the Lord.   Their growth is their responsibility, and although tradition can help, it is most useful when it is intentional.   No one is good, and only when our eyes are fixed on the Savior can we grow and mature in our walk with Him.   We have an enemy whose sole desire is to steer our hearts away from the Lord,  our traditions may prevent us from straying too far away, which is good, but intentionality brings us back into the fold, which is better.  

What were a few of your childhoold traditions? Which do you still practice? Should Christians keep and perpetuate traditions?

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36 responses to “TRADITIONS…. TRADITION!!”

  5. I like the new tradition of Resurrection eggs that some families adopt–twelve eggs with small Easter story reminders inside that children find then use to tell the story. Traditions help to connect the generations and build stronger family bonds–especially valuable as we seek to pass down our Christian heritage, and make disciples within our homes.

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  6. You have a beautiful way of telling your stories that makes your Christian life seem very genuine. I appreciate that. My kids are adults now too, and they still love McDonalds – a treat they often got after church on Sundays, when my husband, as a Pastor, had to linger well into lunchtime :). I made them eat before Awanas though, so I could get them home to bed!

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  9. Those Golden Arches never grow old 😂. Growing up I always got an Easter basket, and I did the same for my daughter when she was younger. I enjoyed reading about your traditions Brenda! 🤗

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  10. As always so much to think about after reading your post. We’ve started a lot of our own traditions that allow us to bring the Lord into our gatherings. My youngest and I like to be more purposeful in this.

    With my extended family, there aren’t many traditions we hold thankfully. Aside from getting together for holidays and mom making breakfast, everything is fair game every year. My youngest and I are thinking of introducing them to our love for musicals and making this years holidays a musical fest! Hahaha (Meaning everyone randomly breaks out in song at some point in the day.)

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  11. Good post!
    We used to always fly kites at Easter when I was a kid and even once I had kids…my grandma started this tradition and is too fragile for the fun now so I think it’ll probably become a sweet memory instead.
    Another tradition I have with my kids is to say two popular bedtime prayers with the kids at night. I feel like this becomes too habitual and since one of the prayers is the Lords Prayer I don’t want it to become meaningless…that’s the thing about traditions, at times they risk losing their luster!!

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  12. One word of caution is always in order for “traditions.” More often than not, once a tradition is passed to the third generation (your grandchildren) it loses its significance… unless their parents are particularly intentional in training them in the tradition.
    Remember, Jesus had his worst conflicts with “traditionalists” among the Jews. He even warned them that their traditions had become so perverse that they used them to disobey the Scripture!
    But I believe better things of your children and grandchildren. As you have taught your children the Word, so Scripture calls on grandparents to continue the training: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9
    Blessings on you and your husband, Brenda, for your faithfulness. Pray for me that I will be found as faithful.
    yours and His, c.a.

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  14. In the Old Testament, God makes it clear that it is the responsibility of the parent to teach the Law to their children and they, in turn, to their children so that God’s words to Moses were perpetuated. We had Easter baskets and always dressed up special for Easter since my family was one that went to church on holidays. Since my husband and I were Christians when we got married, we continued the tradition of Easter baskets but celebrated Resurrection Sunday by going to church, sometimes for Sunrise Service, much to the dismay of the children. We hid eggs with money in them and the children rushed to find them. We then made the colored eggs that we made on Good Friday or Holy Saturday into deviled eggs to serve with our traditional ham dinner. My daughter hides the Easter baskets and her kids have to find them. That’s a tradition from her husband’s family. I just love the celebration of Jesus being alive! This year was quiet with just me and my husband. We went to church and had a ham luncheon, then did a FaceTime call with each of the children and their children.

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  16. This: “Habits” (and I would add, Traditions) “may not necessarily draw us away from the Lord, but they do not draw us any closer to Him if we are not intentional on our actions.”
    And this: “…tradition can help, it is most useful when it is intentional.”
    God instituted many practices which were to be traditions for generations. They were to BE INTENTIONAL, as reminders of the grace, goodness, love, and protection of the God of Israel.
    As with all else: God gives us good things; let us use them wisely, and give Him glory.

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  17. What a great question to start our Easter season. The tradition of meeting on the first day of the week, Sunday, is a tradition that recalls the Resurrection every Sunday, yet always looking forward to the Great Feast of the Passover of Easter.
    Tradition in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, as you stated, it’s our ability to keep it fresh in our hearts, our minds and our lives. If we are unaware, or worse, taking these things for granted, our hearts become hard and desensitized to the things of the Lord.
    The Lord’s supper, the preaching of the Gospel, prayer, Bible study are all traditions designed to help us grow in our faith. It’s up to us to keep it fresh, living it out in our daily lives, to persevere till the end.
    Thank you for such a thought provoking question! May God continue to bless you and your family.

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  18. This made me think of the song about tradition in “The Fiddler on the Roof.” Everything you say here I agree with 💯! Your daughters are blessed to have such wise parents and counselors. We need godly traditions to anchor us, but the ground of our anchor must be our Lord himself. All other ground is “sinking sand.” All grace in Christ to you and yours! 💞

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