Pewter Cups and So Much More

aka Dr. Beverly Crusher

In my family all of us kids were given pewter cups with our names engraved on them.  I'm not sure of the significance of the pewter cup tradition or who gave me the cup.  Was it a grandparent?  Was it an aunt or uncle?  How far back does the tradition go?  All I know is that when my parents moved out of their house my cup got passed to my brother and this past Thanksgiving he told me that I either had to take it home with me or it was going to get thrown away.  So I took it.  Now it sits on a dresser in my bedroom looking old and in need of new meaning and significance.


So I did some research on the giving of pewter cups and found....nothing.  I have no idea what the significance of giving a pewter cup is, just that it "is a joyous time that merits special acknowledgment." (Or at least so says silvergallery.com.)


Tradition.


Why do we celebrate the way we do?  Why give gifts at Christmas time?  Why take the time to put ornaments on a tree?  Why hang lights and wreaths with big red bows?  Why do we sing certain songs or recite certain liturgies?  Why give pewter cups to babies? Does any of it actually mean anything?


Tradition.  Memories.


Often times we go through all the motions of the holidays hoping that we can reclaim a former joy we once had at this time of year.  Through the sights, smells and tastes of the holiday season we seek to remember that we were once happy.  We romanticize this time of year hoping that we won't have to deal with the struggles and hurts of our current situation.  We remember the ease and excitement of our childhood.  We remember the joy of good relationships.  We remember the simplicity of a time that was ignorant of the complexity of life.  Can all that be reclaimed through a simple, traditional celebration?


Tradition.  Memories.  Hope.


No, we can't relive the past, but the act of remembering should not lead us to sadness, but hope.  Remembering good times should point us forward to better times.  Remembering simplicity should help us recognize the simple joys in the midst of complexity.  Remembering the excitement of our childhood should loosen the corner of our mouths and lead us to serious smiles.


We are a people called to remember.  
Called to remember a Savior sent to save us.  
Called to remember His death.  
Called to remember His resurrection.
Called to live in that hope.


Someone, somewhere celebrated my birth by giving me a pewter cup with my name engraved on it.  They heard about my entry into this world and thought that it was "a joyous time that merited special acknowledgment."  Traditions are not meaningless unless we fail to remember the love out of which they were born and the hope which carries them on.  As we celebrate this holiday season and reflect on memories that  make us laugh or cry, look for the hope of new joys, new memories and new life.