Customs, Traditions, and THE TRUTH

And Don't Forget the Mistletoe! 

Traditions are your links to the past. They are gifts from your ancestors that give you ideals to live by. No other traditions are more cherished than those celebrated at Christmas. Many families create their own. They’re fun, and they create a sense of belonging and security. In my family it’s a tradition that we read the Christmas story before we open packages.

Then there’s LEGENDS and old CUSTOMS.  These are non-historical in nature that are handed down from earlier times. They usually point to a noble outcome or a happy feeling of some sort; symbols such as the Christmas stocking, Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, Christmas cards, and Poinsettias.   


I had fun looking up these various signs that we associate with this season, and I found it interesting that most all of them point to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  This month on the Arise Facebook page, we’ll be sharing where these various icons and symbols originated.  And, by the way, don’t forget the mistletoe!


And then there’s THE TRUTH of Christmas – Jesus Christ coming into the world to redeem mankind into a relationship with God the Father.  This is the center and nucleus of the holiday. It’s birthed out of the very heart of THE ALMIGHTY and transcribed into God’s inspired love letter, the Bible.  Jesus is not a tradition.  He’s not a custom to practice.  He’s not a legend.  He’s the one and only Son of God, and indeed, the lover of my very soul!


So enjoy the festive elements that make Christmas such a spectacular time of year, and I hope you do enjoy the Arise Facebook morning posts in December.  It’s fun to see how every symbol of Christmas points to the supreme reason for the season: Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.