One of the best traditions in our family is putting up the Christmas tree. Of course, it’s just Ann and me doing it these days. But it is still a meaningful time for us because of a tradition we started many years ago.

For years, we have collected or made a Christmas ornament as a souvenir from every trip we have taken together. This simple practice has given us a way to commemorate our travels without collecting too many trinkets. On a few occasions, we have had to create an ornament from a small piece of memorabilia (hence, the plastic woman riding a jet ski we turned into an ornament). Yes, Grandma Ann rode a jet ski and yes, she almost tossed Grandpa Jeff off the back (but that’s another story).

As our collection has grown, we have eliminated “store-bought” ornaments and now only use commemorative ornaments. These are all from past trips or other significant events in our family’s history. Every year, putting up our Christmas tree is a walk down memory lane. We pull out the ornaments, talk about the trips or events they commemorate, and share memories (like the ridiculous two-mile walk in tropical heat because I was convinced the beach was just down the block). Most of the memories are happier than that one!

Whether you adopt our plan or not, building family memories is part of creating a healthy family legacy. Most families have their struggles, and those tend to stand out and get more attention. Why not find a way to memorialize your positive experiences and make those a vital part of the stories you tell, the history you repeat, and the narrative you live? While you may not use our Christmas ornament method, find a way to celebrate the memories that define the best aspects of your family.

Collective memories, what is sometimes called institutional or community memories, are one way we connect to meaning in life greater than our personal experience. That’s why rehearsing the Christmas story every year, even though we know how it turns out, is such an important part of our collective faith. It connects to the core elements of what it means to be a Christian—personal, simple devotion to a Savior and Lord who identifies with us in our humanity and frailty—to the global Christian community.

So go to church this week. Hear the same story you have heard many times. Let it connect you, in a fresh way, to your community and the Christian community through the ages. That’s a good memory to celebrate this week!


Read More

Excerpt — Towards a Clearer Understanding of Jonathan Edwards’s Biblical Typology: A Case Study in the ‘Blank Bible’

Dr. Cameron Schweitzer provides new insights into Jonathan Edwards’s often mischaracterized typology.

Cameron Schweitzer
Director, San Francisco Campus | Associate Professor of Historical Theology
Dr. Schweitzer serves as the Director of Gateway Seminary’s San Francisco Campus and an Associate Professor of Historical Theology. His desire is to help Christians find all of their joy in all of the manifold excellencies of Jesus Christ.

Seeing the Unseen

CSBC Women’s Ministry Director Cathie Smith shares how the church can serve the marginalized in its community.

Cathie Smith
CSBC Women’s Ministry Director
Cathie Smith serves as the California Southern Baptist Convention Women’s Ministry Director. She has a passion for teaching God’s word, serving the marginalized, and reaching the unreached. 

Listen

From Here to Eternity
July 7, 2025

Ministering in Finland

Mikko Sivonen, Academic Dean of the Agricola Theological Seminary in Finland, joins Dr. Hopkins to discuss working as a missionary in a place where people are predominantly a different denomination than you. You can learn more about Mikko’s work here www.agricolasemin

The Study Podcast
July 1, 2025

Wisdom Books | Proverbs

Did you know that there are many different kinds of Proverbs? While the book is “Wisdom Literature”, there are many different messages in the Scriptures.


Watch

Jonathan Edwards and the Asbury Revival

Chris Chun and Chris Woznicki discuss the signs of true revival, signs of the work of the Holy Spirit, and why it is important to critically assess the characteristics of revival in a spirit of charity.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Jonathan Edwards and the Baptists | Douglas Sweeney, Nathan Finn and Chris Chun

Dr. Douglas Sweeney and Dr. Nathan Finn joined Dr. Chris Chun for a panel discussion on Jonathan Edwards, recorded live at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Get updates on new content!