A Brand-new Tradition

A Brand-New Tradition

We love each other because he loved us first.

The year my husband and I started dating, my soon-to-be mother-in-law suggested that since my family lived in the same town, we could host Thanksgiving together. Little did she know, that first year would start a tradition that has continued to this day: fifteen years later, our families still celebrate Thanksgiving all together. Her suggestion resulted in a wonderful new tradition that ensured both sides of our family would be together at least once a year. Each Thanksgiving we rotate homes and decide who’s bringing what to eat—some new foods and other dishes we’ve brought every year without fail. Over the years we’ve created bonds and memories that we never would have if we hadn’t decided to start a new tradition and create a new kind of family.

But it hasn’t stopped there. Opening our homes up on Thanksgiving has also opened our hearts to others who may be alone on the holiday. Rarely a Thanksgiving celebration goes by that is not attended by at least one new person, usually several. Our families have learned to be flexible, and new faces are always welcome to join our rather rowdy (albeit very loving!) group. We love to open our doors to others, and it has created a wide circle that is always inviting new friends in to celebrate. Everyone knows they are always welcome to bring along a friend to our family gatherings.

Do you have a favorite way to celebrate holidays? Have you, like my family, opened your doors to others or started new traditions? If not, this may be the year to start something new. It often starts with just one person. Who around you needs a family to spend the holidays with this year? Who is lonely? Who is in need of a friend? We are free to love others because we first have been loved by God. When we fully grasp this truth, we can invite and include others more readily.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Invite someone who may be lonely and in need of a friend to your family’s holiday gathering.