Its Tradition...

Have you ever stopped and wondered why we do some of the things we do? There are many things we do just because we have always done them. Like black eyed peas and hog jaw on New Year's Day. I don't know why, but I can remember growing up we always had that for supper on New Year's day. I still don't know why, maybe someone can educate me as to why that is the meal to eat on that day.

In our society we have lots of things like that. Think about it, Turkey and dressing on Thanksgiving, singing carols at Christmas, giving candy and flowers on Valentine's Day, and watching fireworks at the Independence Day just to name a few. Those are all pretty well known traditions, but we all have tons of our own. For example, Missy, Isaiah and I always celebrate Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve, and with her side of the family on Christmas day. At my family reunion each year in June, we will play guitar and sing old hymns. Every year at midnight on New Years Eve for the past 11 years I have kissed my wife. But have you ever wondered, "Why?" All these traditions are actually quite special. They are there usually to help us remember certain things. Like how the pilgrims and Native Americans made peace, how Jesus came from Heaven to become God with us, how a bishop helped two lovers by exchanging gifts between them, or how we celebrated becoming a nation. For our personal traditions, they hold a special meaning, too. Like how we would celebrate Christmas with my grandparents on Christmas Eve, how my Uncle and grandmother would always want to sing hymns at the family reunion, and how I promised my wife that I would only kiss her on New Years Eve till death do us part.

Jesus understood this. He knew at the last supper, the last meal He would share with His closest friends, that He wanted not only them, but everyone to remember who He is and what He was doing.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: on the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."

In the same way He also took the cup, after supper, and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

May God bless you in this new year. May you seek Him more each day, and may you find what you seek.

In Christ,

jon walton