As we have a blend of the Acord and Wright families – we also have a blend of traditions, holidays, and foods.  This December will mark our 20 year anniversary together.  In that wonderful time, we have learned, changed, embraced added and tossed aside traditions that we want to pass on to our children.

This month, twice, I have been asked, do you celebrate Hanukah or Christmas? Hmm. Both. Neither. Not exactly. What we celebrate is Christ. Every day.

We celebrate that God, through the Old Testament told of a savior who would  die for our sins, be buried, and rise on the third day.  We celebrate that it was His plan to offer this salvation as a gift – a gift that we did not need to beg or work for. All we have to do is accept it – once for eternity!  Day by day, we appreciate what that means in our lives, not that we are sinless, but that Jesus sent a comforter, a helper, the Holy Spirit to be active in our lives – that through His work, we can show joy, love, patience, gentleness, self control. We struggle in the times that we forget out dependence on Him.

To me,  I do not have Holy Days  – sacred days filled with laws of pomp and circumstance,  rules and religion.  I neither have holidays per say, days of vacation where we are expected to be selfish in our time and lax in our work for the Lord.  We live in America – and Americans LOVE supporting Hallmark Cards by creating and keeping dozens of special days. A gift, a card, and some good eats. Its the American way! My family likes cards and gifts and food – so – we Like Hallmark Special Occasions!

Will we be offended if you say Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukah? No.  We say them all. We love Winter Festivals, Harvest Parties, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. We love candles and sparkle lights, Christmas trees and snow globes.  Taking Christmas Trees down will not take down the gospel any more that putting up a tree declares your faith in His Word.

So – I begin a series of the Wright Family Traditions.  How these have become shaped in our home, influenced by Scripture, Experience and the American Culture. 🙂