What I know about tradition
I am not all that fond of tradition. It can be used as an excuse for all sorts of things. A reason, so it seems, to keep on doing something that perhaps is best left in the past.
But it’s tradition! The catch cry of the season. If you ask me, that is not enough of a reason to keep on keeping on. There needs to be something more compelling to make me want to join in.
I understand the need for link to the past. I am as nostalgic as the next person, more sometimes. Just ask my husband about the vacuum sealed bags full of baby clothes I lug from house to house. Nostalgia though is not tradition.
Sure, I love to put up a Christmas tree, I love listening to Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald croon Christmas songs. I love a slice of ham on thickly toasted bread, Christmas pud and brandy butter. But I can still have Christmas without theses things. In all honesty, I sometimes think traidition can be all a little too try hard.
If the point has to be forced, if the but it’s tradition phrase seems stuck on repeat, perhaps that particular tradition has had its day. Maybe it needs to be zip locked and vacuum sealed away at the top of the linen cupboard. Forcing the issue should not be the main event of a tradition. If it is, time to let go.
Ritual though is something else altogether.
The way I make a pot of tea. The same movements, the same rhythm of spooning, brewing, pouring. The way hands are wrapped around cup. Ritual, comfort, meditative practice. Nothing forced. No need to justify. No catch cry of but…
The comfort in dimming lights and lighting candles in the evening.
Ritual.
Sometimes ritual and tradition meet. I like to go to Midnight Mass or a Christmas morning church service. High Church if you please. Incense swinging, candles burning, sung eucharist. Family tradition, steeped in ritual.
So, what do I know about tradition? I know as a family of four we have made our own. Brought some along from our childhoods, discarded others. The ones we have made happened without trying. Without forcing the point.
I know we have rituals as well. Those that are day to day, and some that are more day and date specific.
I know spending time with family, friends, those I love is all the tradition I really need. The rest, it’s just trimmings.
Linking up with That Space In Between for her What I know about… linkup.
![bookmark](http://www.undertheyardarm.com/wp-content/plugins/share-and-follow/images/blank.gif" height=){kind=small}
Beautifully put x
[Reply]
Naomi Reply:
December 6th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Thanks love x
[Reply]
I want to say something about the writing and the meaning, but I’m transfixed by the image of the wreath! Beautiful. x
[Reply]
Naomi Reply:
December 6th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
It is a beautiful wreath. I do love it. A lot! x
[Reply]
Oh Naomi..
Suddenly I see my mother dragging me and my three younger siblings to have our photo taken with Santa in the Myer Christmas display.
The little ones cried and my sister and I told Santa there was no way in hell we were getting on his knee.
Fun times..
“but it’s tradition”…
oxox
[Reply]
Naomi Reply:
December 6th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
The amount of people I see doing the same… why people why? The best traditions are those that happen organically, with joy. x
[Reply]
Beautifully put.
[Reply]
Naomi Reply:
December 6th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Thanks x
[Reply]
You weaved the two concepts of ritual and tradition so beautifully Naomi – its like you found clarity in the two spaces. I told my husband this year that we wouldnt be doing the Santa pic – with my first babe I did the ‘what I should be’ traditions but with my boy, who is infinitely more frightened of jolly old st nick, I won’t be pushing it.
We purchased a new outdoor table on the weekend – our new tradition will be chrissy brekky with our kids, our new ritual will be togetherness.
Thanks for linking up with your lovely words x
[Reply]
Naomi Reply:
December 8th, 2012 at 8:28 am
Togetherness is the only ritual we need when it comes down to it. I love the idea of a family breakfast, such a lovely way to start the day. x
[Reply]
Lovely post Naomi, and yes you’re so very right about letting the traditions and rituals come naturally. I’m a little slow off the mark this year due to overseas trips and a deluge of pre-christmas visitors, and my boys are asking “when are we going to start doing our christmas stuff?” I guess I’m still “leading” it but it gives me a warm feeling in my tummy that my young fellas are noticing and missing it. Thanks for the perspective
[Reply]
Naomi Reply:
December 8th, 2012 at 8:26 am
You may be leading, but clearly your boys are asking, so they want it too. Having young children gives a whole new perspective and renewed excitement around Christmas, doesn’t it.
[Reply]