“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” —Marcel Proust

The practice of rituals, notably within groups, stems from our most ancient instincts for connection and shared experience. Group rituals are part of how people harmonize their beliefs and behaviors with others. Historically, rituals have acted as a sort of social, cultural, or familial adhesive that facilitates bonding.

The December holidays—Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s typically evoke a variety of rituals—whether these involve setting up and decorating a Christmas tree, lighting a Hanukkah menorah, decorating the dinner table with the essential symbols of Kwanzaa, or partying till midnight on New Year’s Eve. Research demonstrates that having family rituals on holidays specifically, helps people feel more connected and enjoy the occasion more.[1]

While there is a relationship between rituals and traditions wherein traditions frequently contain particular rituals, there are distinct differences. A tradition is a broader custom, belief, action, or set of actions often passed down from one generation to........

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