Christmas Traditions

INTRODUCTION

1. Those passing on traditions, handing down of information, beliefs, practices and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to the next.

2. Those receiving traditions, an inherited pattern or thought or action.

3. The Bible teaches that traditions are both good and bad.

Traditions are like habits, they can be good or bad.

4. When traditions are good:

When they instruct in proper doctrine. "Therefore brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or by our epistle" (II Thess. 2:15).

When they produce godly life, i.e., godly character. "We command you brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourself from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition he received from us" (II Thess. 3:6).

Character is habitually doing the right thing in the right way. -Erin Towns

5. When traditions are bad:

When they teach contrary to scriptures, "When they saw the disciples eat with undefiled . . . not holding the tradition of the elders" (Mark 7:2-3).

Then they ignore or by-pass scriptures, "Ye have made the commandments of God of none effect by your traditions" (Matt. 15:6).

When they support wrong doctrine. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men . . . and not after Christ" (Col. 2:8). "You were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and God . . . received by tradition from your fathers" (I Peter 1:18).

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

My True Love: God, the Giver of "every good and perfect gift" (James 1:17-18).

1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Jesus Christ on the Cross (John 10:14-15).

2. Two Turtle Doves: Mary and Joseph’s sacrifice of two doves in the Temple shortly after Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:22-24).

3. Three French Hens: The gold, frankincense, and myrrh given to Jesus by the magi (Matt. 2:10-11, KJV).

4. Four Calling Birds: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, authors of the four Gospels (John 20:30-31).

5. Five Golden Rings: The Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament (Deut. 34:10-12).

6. Six Geese a Laying: God, the supreme Creator, made the earth in six days (Gen. 1:1, 31).

7. Seven Swans a Swimming: the seven gifts of the Spirit: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, showing mercy (Rom. 12:6-8).

8. Eight Maids a Milking: The eight Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12).

9. Nine Ladies Dancing: "The fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol" (Gal. 5:22-23).

10. Ten Lords a Leaping: The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:3-17).

11. Eleven Pipers Piping: The eleven apostles who were true to Jesus Simon Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddeus, and Simon the Zealot (Mark 3:16-18).

12. Twelve Drummers Drumming: The Apostle’s Creed.

6. Traditions over the years with the Towns’ family.

Teach appreciation. Kids leave cookies and milk for Santa.

Appreciate the small. Filled stockings with small treats.

Time. Every year on December 1 Ruth begins playing Christmas music.

Remember those who serve you. Decorate mail boxes and prepare gifts or money for those who come to your door.

Have a Beary Merry Christmas. Ruth has over 225 stuffed bears. She decorates them. The biggest bear of all Teddy.

Puzzles under the rug. We do 1 or 2 puzzles with everyone helping.

Let the begging begin. We don’t open until Christmas morning.

Make little things fun. 14 gifts for a drip coffee pot.

Ugly orange carrot slippers. Keep ’em a year and surprise someone next year.

Annual visit to Elks Home and decorated houses.

Counting Christmas trees. Must be lit to count.

Open one gift at a time, teach child to appreciate what others get.

Tearing down by December 26. When have a different

celebration, i.e., Ruth’s birthday.

Names and dates on Christmas tree ornaments. Teach children to:

a. Look to next year.

b. Appreciate traditions.

c. Look forward to their children.

Multiple Christmas trees. If one is good, why not 5?

Bible in the front hall. Remembrance of the Christmas story.

7. Hints for your family.

Design a Christmas stocking for each family member.

Keep cameras handy.

Read Christmas Bible stories during the Christmas season.

Dress in bright colors of Christmas.

Put something Christmas in every room in the house.

Rings and jewelry are not gifts, but only a substitution of the gift of yourself to someone special.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.