I first came across the book Treasuring God in our Traditions on the blog Under the Sycamore. Since the blog always has such wonderful ideas and ways to make God real to kids, I thought the book would be worth checking out. (So is the blog, by the way.)
One of the things that really resonated with me when reading this book was the way the author hoped to instill traditions in her children that drew them closer to God. The ways they celebrated events and traditions as a family would remind them of God’s hand in their lives. The author, Noel Piper, used the word infiltrate; infiltrate our lives with God. It got me excited thinking about the ways our family can intentionally incorporate the Gospel into everyday routines and activities.
The book offers many practical suggestions for encompassing tradition into both everyday life and special occasions like Christmas and Easter. It also challenges the reader to evaluate traditions and customs we currently subscribe to. Some traditions are worth keeping and handing down to future generations, while others may need a little reworking in order to have Christ at the center. The purpose of traditions, in the author’s own words, is “remembering what God did for His people, giving glory to God for what He’s done and so our children and their children will know Him.” (pg. 103)
This book feels like one of those I will reread as my children continue to grow and mature. My hope is that our family traditions will be ones my children will look back on fondly as some of the ways they most grew in Christian growth and were nurtured. You can get your copy of the book here.
Thanks for the recommendation! We are just starting out in our journey to create traditions, so i will definitely check this out.
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