Growing up without a family tradition except for the usual holiday events found me in a situation where I don’t know how to start one or what to start on. I have been a mom for 20 years now, but it was only last year (December 2019) that I have decided to start a family tradition for my children and me. I wanted to have something to look forward to every December as we celebrate the holidays together.
So last year, we started the “Reading Through Luke.” Yes, it was a suggested family tradition that went viral last year. The family reads through the book of Luke at one chapter per day. Luke has 24 chapters, and if you read one chapter per day as a family, you will end the book on Christmas Eve. What a wonderful way of celebrating the reason for the season, right?!
Honestly, my children were not that ecstatic with the idea but they loved that we are starting a Christmas family tradition that they can look forward to doing every year. And recently, they are already aware that we are starting it again today – December 1. We read in the evenings.
Why Family Traditions?
For our case, why do I want a Christmas family tradition? And why families should start one? According to Biola University, there are seven (7) ways traditions benefit our family:
- Traditions teach and reinforce your family’s values.
- Traditions provide a source of identity.
- Traditions help families bond closer together.
- Traditions ensure that people take time for emotional connection.
- Traditions create lasting memories for children.
- Traditions provide kids with security.
- Traditions are a chance to celebrate whatever makes your family unique.
Based on this list, who wouldn’t want that? Especially for a single mom like me, I would do anything that would benefit the emotional, mental, and spiritual life of my children.
We are not really big on celebrations, but I am hoping that this little Christmas family tradition will last long and will open up more memories for me and my children.
How about you? Do you have family traditions? If none, are you planning to start one? It’s never too late to start! You can initiate your very own family traditions!