“The little drummer boy is not without purpose; he rouses people so they can grab an early breakfast before the sun rises and their fast begins. In the pre-alarm clock era, the drummer had an essential role; now he is more of a remnant of traditional Turkish culture.”

It made me think about tradition and U.S. culture: Who keeps the drum beat - even if only as a remnant of tradition - for our cultural appetite and religious devotion? And do we still listen to that drum-beat, or do we curl to the otherside of our comfortable beds, snoozing through the opportunities for devotion - whether personal or corporate - in the cultural traditions of our past?

Growing up in a family where tradition was seen as a reinforced as good thing [4 generations from the same college as 1 example - Io Triumphe!], I’ve also adopted new traditions from my Mexican family and neighbors, as well as my African-American & Chinese-American students, that put together, creates a sometimes beautiful, sometimes chaotic rythym in my life.

What I’ve come to wonder, though, is this - beneath the drum-beat of culture and tradition, what are we supposed to be awakened to? What, beyond the practice, are the principles or points of grace that the rythms of cultural traditions pointing to?

For you, what are the traditions - whether deeply held or faintly voiced - that you practice; and what do they point out in your life?