Traditions help establish ways of observing times and seasons, like my family’s tradition of trimming the tree. Traditions also connect us to those who came before us. It can be humbling to participate in a tradition that has been done by people in many generations before you.
I’m reminded of the importance of tradition whenever I attend worship. Some worship traditions are specific to certain faith communities—how Holy Communion is served, for example, varies from congregation to congregation. But some traditions are universal to Christians. We all gather to pray, hear the Bible read and talk about our faith.
Traditions help communities form their own unique identity. Traditions help establish ways of observing times and seasons, like my family’s tradition of trimming the tree. Our traditions shape our communities and how we relate to each other.
How do your favorite traditions help you and others in your community connect with each other and with God?
This message is adapted from “Faith reflections: traditions” by Becca Ehrlich in the November 2018 issue of Café magazine. Today we remember John of the Cross, renewer of the church, who died in 1591.
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