Treasuring God in Our Traditions
Everyone has family traditions. When you marry you discover two separate sets of traditions and the new couple must decide which parts of each family they want to hold on to or blend and adapt to suit their new family unit. However, all of these the habits and practices which families participate in with any amount of repetition have two things in common, no matter the family: the traditions point to the past and also to the future.
Piper’s explanation flows as she details how traditions are not just for the children but also for the parents to remind them of what is important as they lead their family. From holiday celebrations to every day events, what we say and do matters in teaching children about where they came from, what truth is and what we hope for in the future.
Our “everyday” traditions are the purposeful, significant activities that we do most frequently and regularly, the things that give shape to a day and week.” (page 38)
Through our regular habits and actions we teach children expected behavior, a system of belief and how to think about the world around them. Again, every family has traditions – some good and some bad. It’s a good thing to think through why we do what we do. This book will make you do that. Repetitious habits and actions you might have once thought benign might be reconsidered in light of what Noel Piper has to say. Or perhaps you believe you are on the right track for your family in establishing good habits – traditions! – which foster a desire in your children to grow in wisdom and maturity. Whatever your position, this is a worthy read as it demands a defense of one’s actions. For myself at least, internal examination of my thoughts and motivations isn’t always such a bad thing.
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
I received this book at Christmas. It’s in my stack to read. I was just thinking today that it might be a good one for my next book club. And you would actually have it! 🙂 I’m glad to hear you like the book.