The story is told of the family that year after year, regardless of the neighbors raising questions, was true to their tradition of cutting the leg of a pig a little shorter than normal butchering practice. Eventually it came to light that their particular practice had no basis other than the diminutive size of some ancestor’s pot—a pot long out of use. The practice of traditions–including at Christmas–need not be slavish or undiscerning.
At the same time, in Aristotle and Aquinas’s worldview all change has meaning from its relation to stable realities. The stable and enduring is the gold standard; it gives direction and purpose to change. The observance of ‘traditions’ should be considered in this light, especially at this most tradition-rich time of year.
Hilaire Belloc offers a unique and powerful prompt to be intentional about our Christmas observances, arguing for the importance of “the unchanging practice of Holy Seasons,” and of “unaltered and successive” seasonal acts. He asserts that such practices address the countless sufferings and challenges in human life, of which he gives a list, including: the threat of despair and remorse; weariness almost beyond bearing; dull repetition of things apparently fruitless; sickness in body and mind; forgetfulness; estrangement and misunderstanding between persons; and untimely death. All these travails, he suggests, become “part of a large business which may lead to Beatitude, for they are all connected in the memory of holy day after holy day, year by year, binding the generations together.”
Here we find good reason to prioritize traditional practices simply because they are traditional. Obviously, such a disposition can go too far and should be tempered by a reasonable examination in view of current circumstances. But Belloc first opened my eyes to the reasonableness of giving ‘the benefit of the doubt’ to what has been done before and has become ‘traditional.’
Today this can tricky for a couple reasons. First, certain practices contrary to a richer observance of Christmas have become customary over a generation or two. This means that many of us will want to look again at ways we have accepted common practices that are better left behind. An overemphasis of material gifts and the tendency to move the celebration of Christmas to the days leading up to it are just two examples.
Second, some of us, especially those just starting their own families, can feel cut off from richer traditional practices and so at a loss as to where to start.
Many in this situation have found it helpful to turn to customs long practiced in various Christian cultures. One such resource is Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family by Maria von Trapp. Turning to such ethnic treasures—even those with which we have no immediate ties—when done with prudent discernment can be a real boon for our own Christmas observance.
Here there is certainly room for creativity, as the point is not that we simply must find something that is already a tradition! The holy days of Christmas offer inspiration for countless bodily expressions of our celebration. Our commitment to observe the days with faith can bear fruit in rediscovering the old as well as crafting the new.
This ties in nicely with another encouraging fact. In a household, practices can take on the aspect of ‘tradition’ relatively quickly. Young couples can take heart knowing that their practice over the course of a few years will truly function as ‘traditional’ for their children, and even for themselves.
The primary two realities here are the mystery we are celebrating, and our faith in it. A faith-filled and joyful celebration calls for in-carnate, enfleshed manifestations. And we do well to recognize the wisdom of making these manifestations customary, whether this means preserving what has been passed on to us, or discovering what has been passed on to others, or crafting something new, which we then do our best to pass on. With peace, love, and joy.~ ~ ~
WE HAVE CHRISTMAS RESOURCES FOR YOU! TWO PODCASTS: FIVE IDEAS FOR A HOUSEHOLD CHRISTMAS, and Preparing Your Home for Christmas: Decorating with a Purpose. Also: JOIN US FOR OUR BELLOC CHRISTMAS ESSAY READ ALOUD, Register HERE. AND, go to SOFIA’S CORNER for all of her Advent and Christmas resources, such as wreath-making and carolling resources. AND, check out our recorded Christmas stories at Spotify. FINALLY, please see below for our once-a-year fundraising drive…
Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
