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RITUALS KEEP CHANGING by Tony Boonstra

It is interesting that since time immemorial people have developed rituals. Sometimes we forget the initial meaning of the ritual. Take Christmas. It was originally “the Mass being celebrated at the time of Christ's birth”. That is literally what the word means.


What I found helpful is an idea I came across in my studies at McGill University years ago. One professor shared with us the difference between a sign and a symbol. A sign is literally what it says. So, when one comes to a stop sign there is only one meaning. Stop. No rolling stops allowed.

The meaning of a symbol on the other hand, is the meaning that a community embraces. This can change over time as the community's values and belief systems undergo changes. In the Netherlands they celebrate Sinter Klaas-Santa Claus, on December 5. The celebration takes on much of the meaning of what Christmas is in Canada. There is goodwill, exchanges of gifts, celebrations, etc. Then Christmas is a quiet day for reflection and for Christians to attend a worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus.

The Christmas "symbol" in Canada and the USA has been altered and includes much that has little to do with the birth of Jesus. For this reason, it seems rather strange to refer to the day as “Christmas”. It has taken on a life of its own that some people describe as the Season's Festivities.

Personally, I love the original meaning of Christmas, as a celebration of the birth of Jesus in a very simple and reflective manner. Sadly, it has been taken over by the large stores which insist on playing Christmas Carols in November, four weeks before advent even begins. Perhaps one could change the date to the one used by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

I certainly can't get excited about trying to fight to keep the kind of Christmas we have today. What is needed perhaps, is for Christians to decide how they can celebrate this event in a meaningful way that does justice to the birth of Jesus, and what his life and mission has meant for the development of our Western society and what it can do for a changing society. Embracing the present status quo may not be the best option.

When it comes to our celebrations, whatever they are, I believe it would be helpful to have respectful conversations. Perhaps it is time to develop some new rituals, to replace the outdated ones, as the following story tries to encourage us to let go of some rituals which have had “their best before date.” A little girl was watching her mother prepare a roast beef. Before the mother put the roast in the oven, she cut a piece off the end of the roast. This intrigued the small girl, and she asked her mother what this was about. The mother did not know but said this is what her mother always did. The little girl was not satisfied with this answer and so went to ask her grandmother - who had to think for a while and had the same answer…This is the way she was taught by her mother.

Fortunately, the girl's great grandmother was still living and later that day the little girl had a chance to ask her great grandmother the reason for cutting off a piece of the roast before putting it in the oven. The great grandmother had to really think about this one. Finally, it dawned on her. Ah she said, I remember. One time when I prepared a roast to go into the pan, the roast was too big, and I had to cut off a piece. A new ritual was born that lasted for four generations.

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Tony Boonstra has been a Presbyterian minister since 1978 and has served churches in B.C. Alberta, and Ontario. In retirement he has remained active doing interim/transitional ministry and pulpit supply

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  1. Tara La Rose14 December 2022 at 12:22

    How can I get in touch with the overseer of the blog...

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