Traditions are important. They help...
Illustration
Traditions are important. They help to ground us in the present as they tie us to the past and lead us into the future. Sometimes traditions are handed down from one generation and sometimes they are born out of conversation. At least that's how it was with Susan.
Christmas was a lonely time for Susan. Her husband of 49 years had just passed away and she was alone. "Pastor," she said, "I'm all that's left in my family. I was an only child and so was my husband. I don't even have cousins or cousins-in-law because my parents and my husband's parents were also only children. I don't know how I'm going to get through another Christmas."
I opened my mouth to tell Susan that she wasn't all alone because the congregation was her family but before I could, I started to think. At Christmas families often gather together for worship, but they also eat together, play games together and spend extra time with each other. I realized that unless I could back my words up with actions, I would be mouthing platitudes to Susan and I didn't want to do that. I thought for a moment and then I said, "You know, Susan, there are others in our congregational family who are also lonely, especially at Christmas. What would you think about having a Christmas dinner at the church on Christmas Day?"
Susan looked surprised, but she quickly agreed. That was five years ago. This Christmas makes the sixth year that our church has held Christmas Dinner.
Christmas was a lonely time for Susan. Her husband of 49 years had just passed away and she was alone. "Pastor," she said, "I'm all that's left in my family. I was an only child and so was my husband. I don't even have cousins or cousins-in-law because my parents and my husband's parents were also only children. I don't know how I'm going to get through another Christmas."
I opened my mouth to tell Susan that she wasn't all alone because the congregation was her family but before I could, I started to think. At Christmas families often gather together for worship, but they also eat together, play games together and spend extra time with each other. I realized that unless I could back my words up with actions, I would be mouthing platitudes to Susan and I didn't want to do that. I thought for a moment and then I said, "You know, Susan, there are others in our congregational family who are also lonely, especially at Christmas. What would you think about having a Christmas dinner at the church on Christmas Day?"
Susan looked surprised, but she quickly agreed. That was five years ago. This Christmas makes the sixth year that our church has held Christmas Dinner.
