{"id":24760,"date":"2018-12-22T03:30:34","date_gmt":"2018-12-22T11:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=24760"},"modified":"2018-12-19T11:29:13","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T19:29:13","slug":"december-22-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2018\/12\/22\/december-22-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"December 22, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cAnd He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Luke 4:16<\/p>\n

Customs and Traditions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I thought about this verse as I considered the many customs and traditions surrounding Christmas.\u00a0My favorite memories of Christmas are of traveling every year to my grandma’s house before or shortly after Christmas day.<\/p>\n

We pulled into the driveway of her secluded property right on the bend of the Feather River.\u00a0Snow was falling softly, and we knew as we pulled into the drive we would soon be greeted with open arms by her as she made her way out the front door.\u00a0Warm hugs and a quick invitation to get inside to the cozy place we called “Grandma’s,” we were immediately offered hot cocoa in those 70’s style orange, yellow, brown, and pea green Tupperware mugs. In the next hours and days we would be joined by aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins.<\/p>\n

Grandma always made Christmas special.\u00a0She loved to bake and make even a stranger feel welcome.\u00a0After the Christmas feast, we all gathered around in her small living room to be together and exchange gifts.\u00a0When I think about how many people were there (our family of five, plus two uncles and one aunt each with their families), it amazes me how we all fit!<\/p>\n

Now I have my own large family and we have many of our own traditions.\u00a0It is important to me not only to share in all the joy and fun of Christmas, but especially\u00a0to impart to my children of the truth of JESUS being the true meaning of Christmas.\u00a0One tradition we have adopted is to go caroling.\u00a0Not only has it become a fun tradition, but singing those songs of Jesus and His birth reminds each of us of why we celebrate. We also enjoy seeing the joy on the faces of those with whom we share our carols.<\/p>\n

In John 18:39, we learn of another custom held by the Jews. Pilate said to them, “But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover.\u00a0Will ye, therefore, that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”\u00a0every year<\/em><\/p>\n

The answer to that would change the world forever.\u00a0Because Jesus willingly came as a baby and lived His whole life knowing of this end for a new beginning, we have salvation and a new life in Him!<\/p>\n

Ever since I was a child, I prayed for my grandma, that she, too, would know of His love and believe.\u00a0A Christmas does not go by (among many other times throughout the year) that I do not stop and remember traditions of old and all the special times with her.\u00a0I am grateful that months before she passed, my prayers were answered when she acknowledged Jesus as her Savior.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Lord, I am guilty often during the season of getting caught up in all of the traditions and busyness it can bring. I never want to forget the whole reason we celebrate\u2014the coming of Your Son, JESUS.\u00a0Thank You for the sacrifice You made.\u00a0And thank You for answering my lifelong prayers when You called my grandma Your own.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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