By Katy Mariotti

Yesterday and Today and Forever

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I have always LOVED traditions. To me, traditions feel really special. They are a way to feel like you are a part of something. They are something to look forward to. Christmastime is full of traditions. When I got married, it was fun to make new traditions with my husband and then with our kids. Some Christmas traditions I’ve continued with my family, like going to church on Christmas Eve and hanging stockings before bed. Some traditions we’ve created new, like going to chop down our own Christmas tree!

I’m old enough to know, though, that traditions don’t always work out. When we first got married, my husband and I tried to go pick out a live tree together like I did when I was a kid, but we ended up arguing because we like different styles of trees. Going to cut down our tree is such a nice tradition, and I love it, but it’s not ideal every year either. Once when my daughter was a baby, it started snowing while we were cutting down a tree, and I have this great picture of her smiling in the snow. It was magical! But when the kids got a little older, they complained when there was snow because it was cold.  And sometimes, we’re not always in a good mood when we go. A couple years ago we were so busy that we missed the tree cutting deadline and didn’t get to cut one down at all!

It’s hard when traditions don’t go the way we planned, or when they stop happening altogether. To me, that cozy space of traditions that I get to look forward to can be something I lean on, and I feel a little displaced when it is taken away. But life doesn’t stay the same; it’s always changing and moving. The good news? God is not like that. Scripture says:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 English Standard Version

We can count on a God who is the great I AM. In all of the changes of our lives, He is constant in His love for us and in His forgiveness. He sent His son Jesus, who is alive today! God is the tradition we can count on, and we can rest in the Lord!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado