Traditions

"and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God."

Numbers 15:40 

Today I thought I'd share with you some traditions my family has, especially with all the upcoming holidays.  Daddy and Mamma have always tried to teach us to remember what Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Resurrection Sunday are all about.  Unfortunately in this day and age people think that Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy a huge meal, Christmas is the day you receive presents, and Resurrection Sunday is a time to search for easter eggs.  While each of these "traditions" are not bad in themselves we believe it's important to remember why they are here in the first place.

Some friends and some siblings re-enacting the First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Traditions: Every year we are reminded about the Pilgrims and God's Providence to them through the Thanksliving Treasure Box by Family Life.  Easy to understand this resource is excellent for families with young children.  With several colorful paintings and figurines of corn, the Mayflower, the cross, etc. my siblings have no problem sitting still and listening to the short devotional.  Another thing we do is get a piece of Thanksgiving-themed stationary and write down specific things we are thankful for from this past year.  We then store it in a safe place to look back on in the coming years.

Our traditional manger scene

Christmas Traditions: Several years ago my parents decided to switch the traditional Christmas tree for a nativity scene.  Every year the week-end after Thanksgiving, Daddy cuts up a small tree and sets the logs in a semicircle around a straw-floored manger scene.  Daddy handmade a small manger and on Christmas Eve Baby Jesus is placed gently in his straw bed (usually a spare baby doll ;).  About one week before Christmas day the "Wise-men" arrive.  Three gunny sack bags, tied with gold string, suddenly appear around the manger scene.  Inside are the presents which we enjoy opening as a family on Christmas Eve morning (we have our Christmas a day before since we're usually at a grandparents' house on Christmas Day).  About 2 weeks before Christmas we enjoy reading through our Adornaments.  This creative devotional contains the different Scriptural names of Jesus and defines them.  This helps us to remember what, or rather Who, Christmas is all about.

One fancy Resurrection lunch

Resurrection Sunday Traditions: This is the one holiday that isn't the same every year. We've celebrated the Jewish Passover before, enjoyed a fancy Easter lunch, loved on a newborn sibling (only 3 days old), etc.  One thing that is consistent though is our 12 eggs of the Resurrection.  Each one contains some symbol of the last supper, crucifixion, and resurrection of our Lord.  When the eggs are all passed out we listen intently as daddy explains each symbol and their Biblical meaning.

The whole things with traditions is to remember that Jesus is to be the center of everything!  This is hard to remember especially with the business of the season but it's so important.  The Devil desperately wants us to forget the Scriptural meanings of all these (that's why he uses such tools as Santa, Easter Bunny, and Turkeys) but we must not allow it.  We, the next generation, must strive to never forget the God-whom we serve and the many traditions that were made to ultimately honor and glorify Him!
May you be blessed this Christmas season!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Mary Magdalene

"But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.  And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.  Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher)." 

John 20:11-16

Mary Magdalene has always fascinated me so I decided to do a study on her.  I used the book "All the Women of the Bible" by Herbert Lockyer, "The Bible Dictionary", and the Bible.  Below is some interesting facts about this devoted follower of Jesus.

Magdala is most likely where Mary was from (hence the name Magdalene, just like Jesus is the Nazarene or from Nazareth).  Situated on the west coast of the Sea of Galilee, Magdala was a flourishing town due to the rich dyes sold there and many textile factories.  Mary may have been well-to-do which would've been why she so easily "provided for Him from their substance" Luke 8:3.

In Luke chapter 8 we learn that Jesus cast out 7 demons who were living in Mary.  After that, she left all to follow her new Lord, Savior, and Master and to serve Him in any way she was able.  It is said that whomever is forgiven much, loves much.  Mary demonstrated this unending, devoted love of one who knows how much she's been forgiven!  Several times Mary Magdalene is mentioned first in the lists of women who followed Jesus and provided for Him and His disciples.  She NEVER tried to take the lead but rather led where God had placed her...with her fellow believing sisters.  She was happy being able to serve Jesus in whatever capacity she could, whether or not she was seen and recognized by men.

She and some other women stood at the foot of Jesus' cross, watched Him give up His spirit, saw where He was buried and prepared spices to wrap His body in after the Sabbath.  Mary was at the tomb early Sunday morning and she was the first one to see Jesus after His resurrection...what a privilege!  She was the first Jesus commanded to share the good news with His disciples!

What can we learn from this amazing lady?  If you truly desire to serve the Lord He will provide for you a place "on the wall" so to speak.  Mary excelled in service to others, including her Lord, and Jesus blessed her by allowing her to see Him first after His resurrection.  What a woman all of us girls could be taught from and learn to emulate!

May you be blessed this Resurrection Sunday as we celebrate the life of our Lord and His glorious resurrection!  May we too be excited that our Lord is alive, just like Mary Magdalene!

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah