Customs and Traditions

Do you adhere to cultural customs? Do you like traditions? Do you prefer to buck the norms? How many cultural norms do you regularly disregard? Have you disregarded a cultural custom that has resulted in a bad outcome for you?

Each culture has its customs and traditions. Some of them are written but most are unwritten. Some of them are minor and some are major. In fact, some are so major as to cause you to be a complete outcast of society if you do not follow them.

Not only do we have cultural traditions, but we also have family traditions. Where do all these traditions come from? They have evolved over the years. Someone started something, others thought it was a good idea, and it continues. Often, we do not even know how it all got started nor why. We do know we are expected to follow them.

In Japan, it is a custom to bow to someone when you meet them. The more important the person, the deeper you are to bow. In the western world, you shake hands when you meet someone rather than bow. In much of Europe, it is custom to kiss each other on the cheek when you meet. Not following any of those customs can be offensive to the person from that culture.

Jacob discovered a custom the hard way and it cost him seven years of working for his future father-in-law. He might have gone through with it even had he known ahead of time, but he was caught off guard when he suddenly realized he had been given Leah to marry rather than Rachel.

As Christians we have traditions as well. It is customary to meet for corporate worship on Sunday mornings. We do so to celebrate the day of the week on which Jesus rose from the grave. We have many other traditions that we, unfortunately, do not always know the origin. Might I suggest we learn the reason behind the traditions.

I pray we all choose to abide by the tradition of joining together to worship on Sunday. I pray we seek to understand the traditions of our Christian faith. I pray each one of us celebrate Jesus. Seek to understand tradition. Join others in worship. Choose to celebrate Jesus.

Genesis 29:25-28 When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.