Leslie Murray was kind enough to write for this post. This lovely lady has one of the most humorous and compassionate perspective I know. May her words be an encouragement to unite as the body of Christ in worshiping our King.

Tradition and the Body
By Leslie Murray

Sometimes I feel that Christians and the church over criticize the reality of what Christmas has become it to a point where they claim all celebration and traditions have become acts of hedonism, with no redeeming qualities left. Not that our culture hasn’t stretched the boundaries of traditions and celebration by contorting them into self-worship, or that sometimes we all miss the mark of the roots of Christmas. This season is a time where we wait the arrival of our King. In that waiting, traditions can draw us closer to the kingdom and the church body. Recently I heard this quote by C.S. Lewis; “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.” Traditions are what tie a family together, and through those times we are able to build one another up. Creating bonds that are deeper than presents, Christmas lights or the second dinner of the year in the dinning room.
Traditions need to be rooted in relationship. Growing relationships within our families and friends we call family help to build us up, and point us back to the arrival of our King. I feel like during this season, we are so tied to the reality that we are supposed to be spending time with our families, that we miss our opportunity to actually spend time with our family. This year, I am joining a family whose traditions have been rooted in their love of Christ. It’s refreshing and exciting. And it’s a strong reminder to take the time to redirect my own family and my heart to the importance of the arrival of the King and our limited time here on Earth. I am reminded that our new and old traditions help to strengthen us as a body of Christ as we wait together for the coming of our King.