Faith and Family Traditions That Build Connection

Start family traditions that coincide with your religion or faith when it’s an integral part of your family’s life. For believers, the holiday season is a time to make lasting memories that capture the true meaning of the season. When Christ is at the center of your home, look for traditions that build family connections while pointing to Him. Here are some ways to do that:

Brief Daily Devotionals

The holiday season is a busy time for everyone. As the children are getting out of school, there may be Christmas parties, recitals, or plays. For parents and older children, there are even more activities to consider and needed preparations. However, it’s essential to prioritize your faith and family connections by having a brief daily devotional time.

Taking at least five minutes each day for a devotion can help strengthen your sense of connection and build family traditions. Choose a morning or evening time when everyone is present. You could take turns leading the devotional to ensure everyone feels included. Read a short passage of scripture and have everyone reflect on it, and then close in prayer. Let each family member have a chance to pray.

This is an awesome way to start the day or end it, by being mindful of the Lord as you connect with family. There’s a saying, “The family that prays together, stays together.”

Family Service

Begin a tradition of service with your family to practice honoring Christ by serving others. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbor. What greater way to show love than to put it into practice? Helping others demonstrates the love of Christ.

Serving at a shelter, donating clothing or toys, distributing care packages are all ways to give to those in need. Any small act of kindness is acceptable, such as raking leaves, shoveling snow, or preparing meals for neighbors or anyone who needs help. Serving as a family will resonate deeply with your children and start a tradition of faith they’ll want to continue when they have their own families.

Attending Church Together

There’s nothing more fulfilling than worshipping with your family. You can sit together, sing, and praise God together as you offer thanksgiving for His blessings throughout the year. Your children will come to recognize the importance of a community of faith. When parents lead by example, they not only build family traditions but they help their children become more grounded spiritually.

Celebrating Christian Holidays

Celebrating Thanksgiving by expressing gratitude for God’s abundance should be at the helm of your family traditions. This teaches your children that Thanksgiving is more than eating food and spending time with family. And Christmas is not about how many presents are under the tree, but our Greatest Gift of all. Family traditions that build faith based on Scripture instill Biblical truths in your children.

Family Blessings

Of all the family traditions, this one is the oldest. It began with the patriarchs of the Old Testament, who would lay hands on their children and pronounce blessings over them. Before Jacob died, he gathered his ten sons together around his bed and prophesied their future. As he laid his hands on each one, he delivered God’s blessing for their lives and progeny.

Giving your children a blessing speaks love, faith, and encouragement. Before leaving for school, before meals, at bedtime, or on special occasions are good times to speak blessings over them. Each family member can participate or take turns offering a blessing, reminding one another of God’s love.

Conclusion

Starting family traditions during the holiday season can be exciting and meaningful. As a family, your faith grows stronger together, and lasting connections are built. Daily devotionals, family service, attending church, celebrating Christian holidays, and family blessings are ways to keep this time faith-focused as your family offers thanks and praise unto God.