It often takes getting married or visiting a close friend’s family during the holidays to realize that your own traditions might not be so ‘normal’ after all. After my first Christmas with my (now) husband, it became crystal clear that our family tradition was not only abnormal, but, to him, a little horrifying!
Since my mom married my step-dad when I was a kid, every Christmas we would take turns being ‘Santa’. We would grab a present from under the tree and deliver it to the right family member. And then—to my husband’s horror—one at a time, we would each share a memory or something you were thankful for from the past year before opening your gift. Typically this brought about many tears, and laughs of joy as we reminded each other of the last year’s highs and lows. This would also make the present opening portion of the morning last for hours as we shared the things that truly mattered to us over the past year. Often the others would have forgotten a moment entirely or remembered it in a different way than the storyteller. It would bring a much-needed time of reflection for all of us and a renewed sense of excitement and peace for what was to come. There were several years, when the memories we recalled were painful—but made us deeply grateful for how far the Lord had brought us, and that we didn’t have to turn back.
It was pressed on to my heart all the more, this tradition, as I read through Deuteronomy a few years ago. I was doing my Bible-in-a-year plan (And I am in year four and only in the Psalms, thank you very much!), and I finally determined to read what is to me one of the most boring and liturgical books in the Bible. But lo and behold—it has become one of my favorite books! One of the dominant themes in Deuteronomy is the call to Remember. It is the most referenced book in the New Testament, and it gives the imperative ‘remember’ 15 times. And rightly so! If we don’t take the time to reflect on what the Lord has done and brought us through, how will we have hope of what is to come? Remembering His truth, and His commandments, is an act of faith and obedience on our parts, which brings much joy and thankfulness to our lives.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)
This may seem a bit sappy or uncomfortable to you, to think about doing this with your family. You would be in good company with my husband then! But over the years, he has come to learn the sweetness of this tradition and loves that it teaches our kids to slow down, to reflect and to share the real treasures they had been given over the past year.
“He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awe-inspiring works your eyes have seen.” (Deut. 10:21)
It may be a little early to be thinking about sitting around the Christmas tree, but I hope you will consider sitting around the dinner table soon and reflecting with your family on what the Lord has done for you, and start the tradition of remembering together.
