Introduction, Part 2. We didn’t have a white Christmas this year. Last year, too, was sadly devoid of snow. After 37 non-white Christmases, I’m beginning to think that living in Florida just isn’t conducive to anything beyond “dreaming of a white Christmas,” as Bing so solemnly sang.
Such a great post. Would you say, then that a tradition that is being practiced by a family but hasn't been adopted by the second generation yet is more of a ritual?
Also, I loved your mention of connecting with other Christians through these traditions. Not just around the world--but through time. I've wondered about that sometimes while taking communion--like that this transcends time/space and so I'm not just taking it with my local congregation, but with so many more. It's very bolstering to my faith, that cloud of witnesses who have gone before.
Thanks for the comment! I think ritual and tradition have a huge overlap, but I wouldn't necessarily say that every tradition is a ritual. However, rituals that are eventually carried on by the second generation would then be traditions.
The idea of the unity of the church, not just around the world now, but throughout time, has been incredibly moving to me in the last few years, so I'm glad you are moved by it as well!
And thank you for the encouragement! I have several more posts after this one on my website (traditionlostandfound.com), but I'll be migrating all of them over to substack in the next few days. I have a brand new post coming out tomorrow on Substack, but it's the conclusion of a series that's currently only on the website, so you may want to catch those first.
Such a great post. Would you say, then that a tradition that is being practiced by a family but hasn't been adopted by the second generation yet is more of a ritual?
Also, I loved your mention of connecting with other Christians through these traditions. Not just around the world--but through time. I've wondered about that sometimes while taking communion--like that this transcends time/space and so I'm not just taking it with my local congregation, but with so many more. It's very bolstering to my faith, that cloud of witnesses who have gone before.
Keep writing please!
Thanks for the comment! I think ritual and tradition have a huge overlap, but I wouldn't necessarily say that every tradition is a ritual. However, rituals that are eventually carried on by the second generation would then be traditions.
The idea of the unity of the church, not just around the world now, but throughout time, has been incredibly moving to me in the last few years, so I'm glad you are moved by it as well!
And thank you for the encouragement! I have several more posts after this one on my website (traditionlostandfound.com), but I'll be migrating all of them over to substack in the next few days. I have a brand new post coming out tomorrow on Substack, but it's the conclusion of a series that's currently only on the website, so you may want to catch those first.