Swept Away: Traditions by David Jeremiah

TODAY'S TURNING POINT WITH DR. DAVID JEREMIAH

Swept Away: Traditions

December 23, 2017

Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
Matthew 15:3

Sometimes we have to put tradition in remission to avoid the physician—or the mortician. According to recent studies, more people die of heart-related diseases during the holidays than any other time of year. Researchers blame some of this on winter weather and overindulgence. But there are some co-conspirators: the stress of all the house decorating, light-stringing, gift-buying, and traveling as we try to keep up with our traditions.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 15:1-10

Christmas traditions are important, and they are not hypocritical and evil like the ones Jesus criticized in Matthew 15. When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for putting their traditions ahead of Scripture, He wasn’t necessarily thinking of the lights on our Christmas trees or gingerbread houses. Nevertheless, the most important thing about Christmas isn’t a certain tradition but a special Savior.

We love our Christmas traditions, but let’s keep them simple. Keep the simplicity of the Savior at the center of your Christmas; and if you must pare back your traditions, so be it. There’s no need to become stressed or ill while celebrating the birth of the One who said, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1).