Traditions and the sense of smell

They say smell is the sense most closely connected to memory. Likewise, I believe Christmas is the holiday most closely associated with traditions. I remember Christmas traditions of caroling, Christmas Eve service, opening one present the night before Christmas, listening to Christmas music, and the most prominent tradition of all, reciting Luke 2:1-20 as a family.

Like personal folklore, they're replayed each season in my mind.

Traditions are wonderful. They’re what we look forward to most this time of year – the wrapping, the tinsel, the twinkling lights, and time spent with those we hold dear. Traditions bring fond memories to mind. They memorialize special moments spent with loved ones.

Christmas itself is one of the greatest traditions of all. If it weren’t for the Reason we celebrate, we would all be without hope, no reason to recall the past. But now, we look to the past and receive hope for the future.