Tradition has often been seen as a threat. And that’s certainly how it’s felt to many of us at times. We know what it is like to be bound tight by tradition. Suffocated by rules and rituals that limit what we can think or who we can love. So, rightfully, our Unitarian message has long been: “Don’t be afraid to throw tradition out!” But we also know it’s more complex than that. We are not always perfect at it, but for a while now, we’ve also recognized that tradition can be a gift, not just a threat. We’re more and more likely to agree with W. Somerset Maugham, who wrote, “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.” And not just a guide, but a connection to the wisdom and wonder of the past.