Tradition, Tradition!
Tradition, Tradition! This refrain echoes through Fiddler on the Roof. We each have our own response to the concept of tradition. Growing up in a Pentecostal denomination, there wasn't much emphasis on the traditions and rhythms central to many Christian denominations and other world religions. In fact, in some Pentecostal and Protestant circles there is a certain pride that we do not celebrate "The Traditions of Men".
And yet, I find myself struggling with a lack of tradition. And I wonder if there is something that we miss by not having a set of practices and rhythms that could be called traditions. Many religions and cultures around the world have well-established traditions and celebrations that support a sense of community and acknowledge their history. These traditions also bring a spiritual focus when practiced with intention.
In looking at where Christianity was incubated - Judaism - we see a strong sense of tradition and a clearly established cycle of celebrations going back to the time of Moses. The 4th Commandment is about a weekly cycle of rest that is rooted in the Creation story when God rested on the 7th day. This was to be a weekly day of rest from labor and focus on spiritual pursuits. This was only one of many cycles and celebrations that have been central to Judaism since the time of Moses. Repeatedly in the Bible, we see that when the Israelites abandoned these cycles and celebrations, they abandoned their faith. Traditions, celebrations, and cycles - the rhythms of our daily lives - serve as a point of connection. They connect us with our community. They connect us with our past and history. And they connect us with the spiritual.
Growing up, my family did have traditions around the Christmas season. My mom made my brother and I beautiful cross-stitched advent calendars, as well as equally stunning stockings for the family. One of my favorite advents was the year she put together a series of treats, small gifts, and crafting activities for us to do throughout December. I would look forward each morning to seeing what the day’s symbol was on the Advent calendar and then picking from whatever category was on that day’s paper.
We would go to my paternal grandparents for Christmas Eve and attend Christmas Eve service with my grandma, often getting to sit in the choir loft while she played the organ for the service. We would light candles while singing Silent Night at the end of service, and face the annual anxiety of keeping the candle wax from dripping past the little paper drip catcher on the candles. As my brother and I got older, we would spend Christmas morning at our house and then travel to my maternal grandparents for Christmas afternoon. My grandfather would read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and the family would sing Silent Night. Gifts weren't extravagant, but they were meaningful and heartfelt.
This early experience with tradition gave me a positive experience with the concept. I find value in rhythms and traditions. Over the past couple years, I have been researching ways to bring more rhythm into my life and encountered the liturgical calendar. The season of Advent, which is a season of preparation, begins the Liturgical calendar. So this year I am beginning my year, not January 1, but with Advent. A time of anticipation and preparation.
Join me over the next 24 days as I begin my year with a period of preparation. We will take time daily to explore the season of Advent and how the intentions and focuses of this season can apply to all our lives regardless of our religious beliefs.
