Old traditions, deep meaning
Taking your place at the table this weekend you will probably notice, gratefully, that it’s decorated precisely as it was last Christmas, and the one before that.
The menu is identical too. Dishes that appear at no other time of year occupy a prominent place. Glancing around the room you smile approvingly at ornaments and decorations that are well-worn and familiar. No one would dare think of replacing them, they’re like old friends, treasured parts of the celebration.
The hours leading up to the meal have progressed according to a tightly rehearsed, time-honoured script. There was attendance at a Christmas Eve service; a fire in the fireplace; chocolates, nuts and Christmas oranges; and the sharing of gifts. Now as you all gather at the table there will be a prayer by 92-year-old Uncle Freddy, (sure hope he doesn’t pass on next year, who would say the Christmas Grace?); every aspect has been totally predictable.
As you flop into bed, you smile happily. Once again Christmas Eve was an overwhelming success. Everything happened exactly as it has for the past 20 years.
You might adjust the details to more accurately reflect your family customs, but chances are some version of the above description is not far from what you will experience these next few days. Traditions are a huge part of days like this. Their power is not so much in what they are as in what they symbolize. Each time-honoured tradition reminds us of the people and feelings and events that were present each previous time they occurred.
Like you, from time to time I feel the urge to do a massive clean-up of our home’s storage area. This is the room where, among other things, we keep our Christmas decorations. The problem is, I can never bring myself to throw out any of the symbols of Christmas. Some of them have far outlived their usefulness, but they still hold meaning.
I definitely have a few favourites. Although I hate putting them up, I’ll never move past the display of Christmas lights, especially the star. The Christmas narrative recorded in the bible tells us that, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’”
The story goes on to describe how the Godordained Star led and guided them to find the Christ child.
Each reading of this account reminds me, the star was not placed in heaven just to twinkle or to wish on, it was an important symbol of God’s guiding light. And it still is. One night this weekend, after the exuberant festivities have mellowed, turn off all the other lights for a few minutes and just sit around the tree looking at the lights. Let them speak to you about the times in your life when you’ve faced tough decisions and God led and guided you. Have your children share good decisions they’ve made and ask them to pick out a special light to remind them of it.
Purposefully count a Christmas blessing for each colour of light. You’ll be surprised … next year when you put those lights on the tree, you’ll remember this evening and the power of tradition will be enhanced.
A second Christmas tradition I’ll never give up is that of the Angels. Each year when the Christmas story is read I marvel the role played by angels. Almost every angelic appearance is accompanied by the words, “Do not be afraid.” To the old priest Zechariah the angels said, “Don’t be afraid, your prayer has been heard.”
To Mary, the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, you have found favour with God.” To the shepherds out in the field the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” “Don’t be afraid.”
I can’t remember an era when that statement has been more needed than 2017.
From the time I was a small boy, the top of our Christmas tree has always been adorned by an angel. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a message I need to hear.
Finally, one Christmas tradition I’ll never give up is the giving of gifts. I often hear married couples say, “We’re not going to give each other gifts this year, we’ll do something else with the money.”
Not me. I love planning and scheming and saving and giving special gifts to those I love the most. Often I can’t wait for Christmas to come, I can’t keep a secret that long.
Gift giving is the tradition closest to the heart of Christmas. It’s what the first Christmas was all about. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God started the tradition, and what a tradition it is.
Tim Schroeder is pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna. This column appears in Okanagan Weekend.