...Although colorful and beautiful, traditions and religion are thin, and not sufficient to protect the children, and guard them from the calamities to come, and the things happening even now.
Like all traditions of men, and nations, and countries, and peoples, the familiar ways and beliefs of our cultures and our ancestors are not enough to guard us and cover us...
We ALL need Jesus.
Not traditions, not man made religion, not the ways and practices of our forefathers.
Our customs and traditions are thin, and are not enough to provide true shelter and protection.
Jesus Christ is the one true covering for us all.
a prayer -
Lord Jesus,
have mercy on us all. Reach us, Lord, and teach us about You. Let us all see clearly regarding You and Who You are. Let us gain wisdom in You, and see past the thin veils of traditions. Open our eyes, and let us see where we have been, and are, being decieved by false beliefs, customs, and doctrines of man. Let us learn of You in freedom and truth. Break down the walls of culture and tradition and false religions. Show us all the truth, Lord. Let Your people, everywhere, in all nations, be able to come to You, in freedom and in truth.
Thank You Lord Jesus.
It's ok to break from tradition, and forge your own path with Jesus. Come to Him first, and see where He leads you, for fellowship. For some, an individual walk is needed.
You don't have to stay with the church that you were born into, out of duty or obligation to your family.
Tradition can be dangerous. It feels safe and predictable, and if you're bound (blinded) by it, you're less likely to question it...
Pray that God will open your eyes to the traps set for you that are all around you. Pray that He will reveal to you the trap(s) that you might be caught in. Pray, and He will set you free.
Seek Jesus, not religion.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
...Traditional holidays are a thing of the past for me, it's been a gradual awakening to the full reality of what celebrating Christmas and Easter really entails. Halloween is a no-brainer, but I was surprised to discover what's really going on, behind the scenes, when we gather for decorated trees, gift exchanges, and egg hunts. Oh, and St. Valentine's Day, too. That one is extra creepy. Even celebrating one's own birthday - with candles on a cake, party hats and streamers, being showered with presents... I've turned from that, too. I will admit, pulling away from traditional holiday gatherings was probably much easier for me than for others, due to my already reclusive way of life. But, I still get some heat for it, from a distance, occasionally. I can only imagine the reactions of those who already thought I was nuts, now, she won't even do birthdays! ...such is life...
Yes, I'm following Jesus, and in so doing, have had to keep learning, keep growing, keep tossing things overboard that I know to be not of Him. The lies exposed just keep coming. The more you learn, the more uncomfortable and unpleasant it gets, as a Christian, regarding other people who are still in the world. Jesus never said it would be easy, but He is with us, every step of the way, opening doors that have been locked, making a smooth way where the road has been broken. I'm holding onto Him, not letting go, finding grace and healing on this narrow path. I don't want to keep anything in my life that doesn't please Him, and knowing what I know now about our traditional holidays, I'm disgusted, icked out, and don't want anything to do with them. And no... they're NOT all about Jesus. That's a lie.
I know that some religious sects/groups don't celebrate traditional holdidays, but I'm not one of them. I associate with no "religion", no denomination, no man-made doctrine. I'm simply one more sinner saved by grace, a born again believer in Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for us all. I read the Bible regularly, preferring the King James Version, it being the closest common English translation to the original manuscripts.
Most people don't really care whether our holidays are pagan or not, I understand that. But I really hope and pray that folks, especially those who are believers in Christ, will take the time to learn about the origins of these holidays. It's just one more uncomfortable and unpleasant thing to deal with, I know. Oh and it gets even worse, when you decide that's enough, and turn from the celebrations and traditional get-togethers. But it's worth it. Every loss in the world is a gain, when it comes to our walk with Jesus.
It's much better to be wide awake, and face the truth, and deal with the hardships, while still on earth, while there's still time to make choices for our lives, learn and grow, and see where He wants to take us, and what He wants to do with us.
