This time of year is usually filled with traditions: both family traditions and liturgical traditions, which shape our experience of Christmas. Traditions serve a great purpose in our lives. We are creatures of habit, and circling back to favorite traditions year after year helps us focus on those things that are most important, and it also infuses them with a sense of warm familiarity. Though we are usually not conscious of how they shape us, our traditions help habituate us in structuring our lives toward what is good: sharing time with family, living out a healthy rhythm of work and rest, and being reminded of the glory of God.
work in progress 