Some people might look at the world and remark that God made a messy world. In a way, they are right. The universe is not a sterile lab experiment God put in a back room somewhere--the universe, incredibly complex and larger than we can fathom, is not sterile, or boring. We don’t worship God in a vacuum.
He gave us the senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. One of the earliest Biblical passages indicates that God uses senses as well, “God saw all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31).
The sight of candles lit at the church, the smell of incense, the sounds of the choir help focus our senses on God and bring us closer to Him. Spiritual songs and poems promote meditating on the meaning of the Gospel. The Word comes to life for us through hearing.
Don’t the sights and sounds of Christmas traditions do the same, bringing us closer to each other? Hearing Christmas music brings us into the season; marking off an Advent calendar reinforces that anticipation of the season; evergreen or holly scented candles smell like the Winter solstice, even during the day; the taste of wassail, holding the hot mug in our hands, brings us closer in fellowship to the world around us. And who could forget the smells of all the baking!
These little traditions engage the senses, bringing us together to remember the Savior who is Lord of all of us, and our Brother. I try to always remind myself just Who this season is all about.
In our family, we open “one” present on Christmas Eve. It used to always be pajamas, ones we could wear that night, so we’d look nice in our pictures the next morning!
We always received socks, too. I think this came partly for economic reasons--we needed socks, and it gave us another present to open. But I like it; I try to give out warm fuzzy socks so my loved ones feel special when they pull them on.
Advent calendars are a treasured tradition: the youngest opens the date and reads the scripture verse. We also light the Advent wreath, and everyone around the table takes turns reading the Bible verses from Isaiah: “The people who walked in the darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who dwelt in a land of gloom, a light has shown. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.” (IS 9:1-2).
Then we pray “May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.” That’s what we’re celebrating.
To paraphrase St. Theresa of Avila, do whatever impels you to love. The kindness and little tasks spread our love out among our fellow man as much, or more, than great statues and awe inspiring works of art could ever do. It really is “the thought that counts.”
Traditions are neither good nor evil; but the traditions that tie us to the best parts of our beliefs and memories are the ones we should treasure and teach our children.
Leave a comment, and please share with us your favorite, treasured Christmas traditions. And feel free to adopt a new tradition to share with your loved ones.
Because, as we all know, love is the greatest gift.
“Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.”
St Theresa of Avila 1515-1582.
