Video Transcript

Edmund: Every family has its own special ways of connecting. Maybe it’s a favorite family recipe handed down through generations. Or maybe you can think of a certain tradition done each year during a holiday, like Christmas. We even have special names we give our loved ones who have a specific role in our lives. Things like “Grandma” or “Nonna” or “Nana”, and “Papa”.

These traditions can be small, quirky, seemingly trivial things. Like that one old fancy plate your family has kept around for way too long, and that’s become almost a ceremonial and sacred plate used only at birthday celebrations and special occasions. 

And then there are traditions we pass down that connect us in more profound ways. Think of the ways a skill or trade is sometimes passed down in certain families. Things like carpentry, shoe making, pottery, blacksmithing, farming, and pizza making.

Some of the most powerful family traditions involve a story bigger than any one person, and they have this element of something to be “remembered.” In some cultures, specific terms for grandparents are tied to religious or cultural rituals and blessings. For instance, in Jewish families, grandparents are often called “Bubbe” and “Zayde,” Yiddish terms that carry the weight of Jewish cultural identity and their shared story as a people that stretches back thousands of years. These titles serve as cultural symbols, passing down not only family love but also the bigger story that is important to be remembered. 

In the movie Encanto, the Madrigal family’s shared story and mission revolve around protecting and supporting their community. They have a family story that each member knows. And this tale is passed down almost as a ritual, and it acts as a moral guide and a source of purpose. Abuela often reminds the family of this story to reinforce their responsibilities, which becomes a guiding principle for their family.

In Jewish tradition, the Shema is one of the most ancient and foundational prayers— recited daily. It starts: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This prayer connects each Jewish person to the entire history of their people, recalling the covenant with God and the shared identity that spans centuries. The Shema is taught to children and spoken in many key life moments, acting as a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness and the story they are a part of. 

In Hawaiian culture, “oli,” or chants, are used to pass down family stories, honor ancestors, and remember the creation of the islands. These chants contain rich history, mythology, and the values of respect for the land and the family. They’re often memorized and recited at ceremonies, reminding each generation of their connection to their heritage and the importance of protecting it.

One modern and well-known example of something like this that’s televised a few times throughout the year takes place before any rugby game played with New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks. This of course is the haka, which is a powerful and deeply rooted tradition performed by the All Blacks. The haka is a ceremonial war dance that was traditionally performed by Maori tribes before battle. It involves synchronized, rhythmic movements, chanting, and powerful facial expressions meant to display strength, unity, and fearlessness. 

Although it might look like a fierce chant or dance to outsiders, the haka is far more than that. It’s a Maori cultural practice filled with meaning, strength, and respect. It’s performed in front of the opposing team not to intimate them, but as a mark of honor. 

Traditions like these aren’t just routines—they’re a way of remembering who we are and where we come from. In each word, ritual, and tradition, we find ourselves connected to each other in the present and connected to our past. These actions and words shape us, remind us of those who came before us, and connect us deeply to one another.

Jesus also established and shared sacred traditions with us. When His disciples asked how they should pray, He gave them the words of the Lord’s Prayer—a prayer that has been shared for centuries, connecting us to Him and to each other across time.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we find something more than just a memorized prayer. We find a prayer that unites us as one family in God. It’s a shared language that carries a powerful message through generations. But it doesn’t just carry a message, it’s part of a bigger story. It’s the prayer at the center of the great story of God, the world, and all of us. 

And this is the story of God inviting and gathering everyone into His family: the Church.  It’s a tradition that reminds us we are invited to be part of something far greater than ourselves. 

So, what family stories are you a part of? What will be your place in that great story that came before you, and invites you to make it your story today? What story will you join? And what story will you pass down to the next generation?

And what are the traditions, prayers, and songs that make us part of God’s family?