MANY OF us will uphold different traditions as we navigate the Christmas season, perhaps putting up decorations, festive food or trips to particular places, perhaps including a carol service.
Other traditions will be very personal to us or our families. Traditions can hold us and give much-needed familiarity in a complicated world.
There will be many of us making new traditions or reshaping old ones due to a change in circumstance, loss of a loved one, or perhaps a new chapter of life for us or others around us.
Nativity plays and the singing of carols are long held traditions which remind us of the story of the birth of Jesus.
We will hear again of the good news of a God who is with us, tells us not to fear and longs to give us peace.
Many of the carols also speak of joy and hope, two things that are very much-needed in our world.
Whatever traditions you enjoy this Christmas, whether long held or new for this year, I pray there will be both joy and peace and that that will give you hope for the year ahead.
Rev Laura Handy
Team Rector of the Saltway Team
