A Stable Environment: A Traditional Environment- Luke 2.41-52

Christmas in our western culture is based (hopefully) on a lot of traditions. Individuals, families, churches, communities, work places all have their own traditions for the celebration of Christmas. My family is no different. Here are some of the most important traditions that our family keeps at Christmas. (Not all these traditions are sacred in nature.)

• My wife has a birthday on the last day of November. My tradition is to buy her a video of a Christmas movie each year. During the month of December we celebrate by watching 20+ years worth of Christmas movies.


• On Christmas Eve we load the car and drive through town (or country) looking at the Christmas lights. What a great reminder of the coming of the light of the world.


• Many years ago I was gifted with a creche made by a dear old friend who has since passed away. The nativity figures inside the manger were painted by Shannon's mother. Our tradition is that Molly (my daughter) and I put the Nativity scene in place each year. While doing it we review the birth story and reminisce about the source of our set.


• Each year the ministers of our district have a Christmas party. Following the Christmas party Shannon and I get in some late night shopping.


• When I was a child, we were never allowed to open Christmas gifts until we had sung "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.

The Jesus Family Tradition-

1. On the eighth day Jesus was circumcised. (Luke 2.21) The Jesus family followed the oldest traditions of the Jewish faith.


2. Jesus was presented at the Temple for purification. (Luke 2.22) Again, his family provided a spiritual tradition through following the law of Moses.


3. Simeon prophesied over Jesus. (Luke 2.25-35) Being open to the presence of the Holy Spirit and His work was important to Jesus and his family.


4. Jesus was blessed by the prophetess Anna. (Luke 2.36-38) This is a sign of the Jesus' family submission to the faith of Judaism. Judaism is one of the oldest faiths in the world, and one with many traditions and rituals.


5. The family celebrated the Passover in Jerusalem. (Luke 2.41-52) At least when he was 12 years old, Jesus and his family were in the city for the celebration of the highest, most holy day of the faith. The way this passage reads would have us believe that this was a regular pilgrimage for the family.