Silent Gen and Gen Alpha
And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
Nehemiah 8:17 KJV
This verse caught my attention because the annual Feast of Booth celebration among God’s chosen people had only occurred when the Israelites entered the Promise Land. This celebration stopped sometime after Joshua was no longer the leader. Approximately 1000 years passed before the Jewish leadership realized the importance of observing the Feast of Booth. It is like future generations forgetting the true meaning of Thanksgiving in exchange for a virtual version that follows a different agenda.
How often do we witness a change in a cultural observance that causes a loss in meaning or a shift in leadership followed by a decline in values? Therefore, the essence of life must center on a permanent footing despite the longevity of time. Yet, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul penned this verse as a reminder that our primary source exists with no beginning and no ending.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV
Knowing that we serve a God in Jesus who lives throughout all ages, a world without an end, is a powerful verse. Yet, this Jesus never changes, and we must grasp this truth's significance.
The other day, I discovered that my parents were part of the Silent Generation (Silent Gen). The Silent Gen consists of individuals born before the baby boomers (from the mid-1920s to the mid-1940s). Like my parents, they were more constrained in their outlook and behavior. Even when the Silent Gen was young, their motto was waste not, want not. Yet, researchers would classify my granddaughter, who is only three years old, as part of the Alpha Generation (Gen Alpha). The Gen Alpha age range is from 0-10 years old. While many are still infants, the same researchers believe that Gen Alpha will spend more time online, making AI their reality. Their learning will become more personalized than collective, and they will live in the moment with more individuality and diversity than any other generation.
(Generation Names And Years In Order)
Therefore, a change becomes apparent when comparing the Silent Gen with the Gen Alpha. Yet, the linkage of these two vast different Generations must rest on a common anchor. When we pass a foundational truth that the Power of Jesus through the Holy Ghost works within each Generation exceedingly and abundantly above all they ask or think, then each Generation can commemorate God’s faithfulness in their life., like God’s chosen people after their captivity. Such a truth’s significance must become the anchor. So, each Generation can reflect on the moments when God gave them unexpected miracles and blessings while trusting Him about their future. This truth’s significance alone solidifies the foundational pathway to lessen the decline of forgetting the Creator. So, we celebrate this truth’s significance while each Generation grasps the essence of life from God’s perspective.
