I am a liturgy and tradition nut. I believe that physical actions, sights, and sounds speak to our hearts, because we are physical beings. Our lives are full of ritual. We brush our teeth daily; we read bedtime stories; we might start our day with a cup of coffee. Ritual is woven into the fabric of our lives. We are creatures of habit. I believe that Christian ritual and traditions, born of Scripture, practiced in our homes and churches, instruct our children and feed our souls.
“You shall therefore lay up these words
Of mine
In our heart and in your soul.”
~Deuteronomy 11:18
However, all things must be focused on Christ. If our observances are not rooted in Scripture and focused on the Savior, then they are meaningless. If our mode of worship ceases to draw us to our Lord, then it becomes an idol and a burden.
If one should feel burdened by the cycle of the traditional Christian calendar, or by an attempt to incorporate too many traditions at once, then it is a sign that adjustments need to be made. They are tools, not ends in themselves.
Each person must prayerfully consider and develop his or her own walk with God. What works for one does not, necessarily, work for all.
Whatever the scenes and stops along the way, of your path to our Savior’s feet, I pray that you will be blessed by them.
~~~~~~~
In that vein, I am hosting an Advent giveaway of Noel Piper’s book, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, in hopes that it will bless one reader’s family life and worship. Mrs. Piper’s lovely book contains sections on honoring Christ in our traditions and special days throughout the year.
To enter:
Leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas tradition, or, one that you would like to start.
For an additional entry, subscribe to this blog via email, or, follow using Google Friend Connect. (Already a follower? You are welcome to enter, too, just leave a comment).
Make sure that you include your email address in each comment. If I do not have your email address, I cannot contact you if you win.
Comments may be made anonymously. Just be sure to include you first name, and be certain that I have your email address.
U.S. entries only, please.
U.S. entries only, please.
A winner will be chosen randomly on St. Thomas Day, December 21, 2011.
Pax Christi,
~Michelle
Treasuring God in Our Traditions (Noel Piper)
The part of Christmas that I love most of all is decorating our Christmas tree. I love organizing the ornaments so that they fit just right between the ribbons and candy canes.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful book,
Amelia
(I sent you my email privately)
I love everything about Christmas, so it is very hard to pick just one tradition. I suppose if I had to, it would either be that we go every year the day after Thanksgiving with all the family to the mountains to cut a tree. That or reading the Christmas story together Christmas eve.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading your blog, suscribed by email so I won't miss any posts. :)
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI ran across your blog from a link on Ann Voskamp's page. I find your blog beautiful. Two years ago I started attending an Anglican church and have truly enjoyed learning the liturgical traditions of the faith that go back so many centuries. It has added a new dimension to my faith. God bless you this Advent. God bless you as you blog.
Kerry-Ann
This Christmas we are trying to be more relaxed. It is a busy season however I think making it hectic is so not Christ centered. Some traditions we are working on are: teaching the children that it is more important to give then to receive, Also we want to bake cookies to share with neighbors and other people we want to bless, Contact some widows and people who need to be encouraged. Looks like a great book. I blog at www.ourjoyfulliving.com
ReplyDeleteourjoyfulliving @ gmail . com
I love the stepping back into the meaning of Christmas through journeying through Advent... the centering of heart and thoughts. It's been an effectual tradition that now includes those I lead spiritually at our weekly InSpirit service. I am grateful for God's open door of opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway - found you through NOBH ;) Blessings!
would love to follow, Michelle, but i'm not finding any widget to join in...
ReplyDeletei have email subscribed to follow the blog. lovely! thank you...
ReplyDeletei've emailed you with contact info for the great giveaway book THX !!
I know I am a creature of habit! Change and I don't get along so well! Thanks for sharing with us over at NOBH!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book, Michelle. My favorite Advent tradition is the Advent wreath! Embodied in the wreath is the counting of the weeks until Christmas Day, and the hoping and waiting for the Christ Child -- it helps you understand the wait of the people all those thousands of years ago for the Messiah, and it helps us understand we have time to prepare and make ready the way of the Lord. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tradition started when we became Christians just a few years ago, and that is going to our church Christmas Eve. The music, the reading of the Christmas story, the soft candlelight humbles me so more than any other day.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tradition is that every year my dad takes me and my sisters to go looking for a special ornament. So each year we add another bit of our own personal tastes to the christmas tree. I like it because it seems more personal to me then using glass ornaments that everyone buys. I usually look for something that looks like it is from an era long gone and my dad always gets a Santa. My sisters are a bit more eclectic but that just adds to the charm of it.
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