Creathminster Confession of Christmas Introduction (from "Fiddler on the Roof)

For the first post, here is a icebreaking tool to help us in our thinking when it comes to "Tradition". Since the practice of our traditions is the primary way we celebrate Christmas, or any holiday for that matter, we believe it is necessary to reflect on what our current traditions have been and see if they result in the glorification of Christ. We recently watched the famous musical "Fiddler on the Roof" and I got to thinking of how the lyrics and dialogue in this song really mirror our own traditions and customs - some we shrug our shoulders and say like Teyve "how did this tradition get started? I'll tell you. I don't know" - some we recognize have helped "keep our balance for many, many years" - and some we practice but are are superfluous in the subject for which we celebrate and they only end up confusing and distracting us away from central reason for establishing traditions in the first place.

Here are several questions useful to determining our positions on traditions:

1. What purposes do our traditions serve?
2. Do they attract us to, or distract us from the true and central reason for establishing them?
3. If our traditions do not serve the central theme for establishing them in the first place, do we annul or replace them?
4. Do we take joy and find spiritual satisfaction in practicing them?
5. Are others encouraged by our traditions?
6. Could others trace the reason for our tradition back to Christ and His glorification?

Hopefully these questions can at least get the ball rolling when it comes to deciding on what traditions to follow and what traditions to let fall by the way.