Heritage Day, a national holiday in South Africa, is a time to honour and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the nation. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our past, embrace our traditions, and appreciate the diversity that makes us unique. However, as we delve into our heritage, it’s essential to avoid becoming trapped in the past and to ensure that our celebrations contribute to a harmonious and inclusive future.

The Gospel of Mark 7:3 provides a valuable perspective on this matter. Jesus admonishes us, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” This verse highlights the importance of not allowing traditions to overshadow the fundamental principles of faith and love. In the context of Heritage Day, we can apply this principle by celebrating our cultural heritage while remaining mindful of the need to adapt and evolve in response to the changing world.

Our cultural heritage is like a museum exhibit, a collection of artifacts that represent our history and identity. It is something to be cherished and preserved. However, just as we don’t live in a museum, we cannot allow our heritage to dictate every aspect of our lives today. We must find ways to celebrate our culture without being bound by outdated customs or beliefs that may hinder our progress.

One way to do this is to focus on the positive aspects of our heritage and to use them as a foundation for building a better future. We can celebrate our music, dance, art, and cuisine while also recognizing the need to incorporate modern influences and to adapt to the changing needs of our society.

Another important consideration is to ensure that our celebrations are inclusive and welcoming to all. We must avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes or practices that exclude certain groups of people. Instead, we should strive to create a sense of belonging and unity, where everyone feels valued and respected.

In conclusion, it is important to note that the gospel is our multicultural heritage. The Great Commission had a vision of a multicultural church as the gospel reaches across languages, cultures, traditions, dress codes, cuisine, music, dance styles and many other things that define our identities in the world. As we celebrate Heritage Day, let’s remember that “…there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!” (Cossians. 3:7) It is our Christian Heritage that weaves our cultural heritage into the one church sharing together in the life of Christ.