Wherever We Land

As parents, one of the most challenging decisions we’ve made was stepping away from celebrating traditional holidays. This decision wasn’t made lightly—it came with prayer, study, and deep reflection on what God desires from us as His people. The challenge wasn’t so much in the decision itself, but in how it affected our children, especially our youngest, who was still growing up when we made the shift. 

For years, like many families, we embraced holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween with joy and enthusiasm. Decorating the house, exchanging gifts, and participating in festive activities were part of our lives. These traditions carried emotional weight and created memories we cherished. So, when we came to the biblical realization that these holidays were not rooted in God’s commands but rather in traditions of men, it shook the foundation of how we celebrated as a family. 

The hardest part of this transition was explaining our decision to our children. Thankfully, Snatcher had already laid some groundwork over the years. Even before we officially stopped celebrating traditional holidays, he had always been honest with the kids about fictitious characters like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. He made it clear that these figures weren’t real, helping our children understand that the joy of the holidays didn’t come from magical stories or make-believe figures, but from the love and togetherness we shared as a family. 

Our youngest daughter, who still had stars in her eyes over the magic of holidays, found it particularly confusing. “Why can’t we celebrate Christmas anymore?” she asked with innocence and curiosity. We answered honestly but gently, showing her from the Bible how God outlines the ways He wants His people to honor Him. It wasn’t easy for her—or us. 

Over time, our children, now grown, have come to understand our stance. Through many conversations and study sessions, they’ve seen that our decision was rooted in love for God and obedience to His word. While they respect our position, we recognize that the echoes of past traditions still linger. Occasionally, they express nostalgia for the lights, the meals, or the communal excitement of traditional holidays. 

Rather than focusing on what we’ve left behind, we’ve chosen to fill the void with something greater. Together, we’ve embraced the holy days God has asked His people to observe, like Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. These days are filled with rich meaning and purpose, grounding us in the story of God’s salvation and His eternal covenant. 

We’ve started new traditions. We gather as a family to read the Bible and discuss God’s commandments. We reflect on how these holy days point to Jesus and His sacrifice for us. Instead of the fleeting joy of holiday decorations, we’ve found lasting fulfillment in aligning our lives with God’s will. 

The beauty of this journey is seeing our children grow in their understanding and even their willingness to participate. They now see these holy days not as replacements but as something even more meaningful—a way to connect with God and honor Him together as a family. 

Letting go of traditional holidays was never about depriving our children or denying ourselves. It was about stepping into the fullness of what God has called us to. And as we continue on this path, we find that His ways are always better, filled with peace, purpose, and true joy. 

We pray that, as we share these traditions with our children, they too will come to cherish them and pass them on to their families one day, keeping God’s truth alive in each generation. For us, the journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it. Walking in obedience to God—and witnessing His creation firsthand—has shown us that His ways are always best and well worth it.