Traditions into
faith rituals

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There is something about Thanksgiving and Christmas that for many of us are times of family traditions and rituals that we are so very dreamy eyed about. Right? Baking Christmas cookies, making that HUGE Thanksgiving meal for two days, worshiping together on Christmas Eve. But how can our holiday traditions become faith rituals?
 
One of my favorite parts of December is spending one entire day in my pajamas making our family’s favorite Christmas cookies – Italian cookies, gingerbread and peanut butter with Hershey kiss stuck in the middle!  We watch Christmas movies the entire time while we mix, roll, decorate and eat a few too.  This is a tradition – something we do every year as the preparation for Christmas.  One way to tweak this tradition into a faith ritual is by talking together as family about how can we share Jesus’ love with a neighbor by bringing them cookies.  Then, praying over the cookies before we take them over.  Every age can participate in some part of this faith ritual.  You can also decorate a homemade card using computer paper and colored pencils.
 
What are your Christmas traditions that could turn into faith rituals?  How could you go deeper?  I would love to hear your stories.  Blessings to you and your family this Advent as you journey towards the birth of Jesus!