Holy-Days

Just two weeks ago I heard the familiar sound of Christmas muzak quietly flowing through speakers suspended from the 28 foot ceiling of a Super Walmart. Yep, the holidays are near.
If we were stand at the mall and ask people (kids too), what one word would best describe this time of year for them?
What would we hear?
"Fun!", "Busier", "Frustrating", "Vacation!", "Depressing", "Stressful", "Gifts!", "Relatives", "Friends", "Loneliness", "Traveling" ...
What would you say and why?
I would say complicated, because the original and basic reason for holidays, was for us to gather together and celebrate, as families, a community, a nation and a world.

The word is should be HOLYDAY.
Now, many hear "holy" and immediately think of RELIGION, and a bad taste comes to their mouths. I don't blame them me too. Because religion has added some of the complications.
God came up with the idea of HOLYDAYS. They are for us to simply take time and celebrate someting good about Him. God tells us to stop our regular routines, chill out and enjoy the day(s) with those around us.
Isn't that great! Well, it was, until people got a hold of it and turned it into something more complicated.
I mean, we actually accept the term & event called "BLACK FRIDAY" which comes immediatley after "THANKSGIVING!!!" (I won't get on my soap box)

To make something holy is to set it apart from everything else. To make it very special and different from others.
God tells Christians to be Holy just as He is Holy. That means, don't be like everyone else. Be different. And He gives us the specific ways in which they should look and they all revolve around real love. (see my previous blog)

So, holydays are to be treated in the same manner. It is the perfect time to reflect on the wonderful things God had done and is doing. To celebrate with people around us, break from the routines of our culture and enjoy. That is what God wants.
The Jews have Sabbaths and several feasts for the same purpose. Christians too as do many other faiths. But the idea came from God. It is from Him for Him and us.

So the challenge for us each holyday is to keep the main thing the main thing. Its hard to do when there are so many that have their own view of holydays. But look back and see how God intended them to be...Joyful, peaceful, simple, purposeful and to celebrate Him.
Now I know Thanksgiving isn't a biblical celebration but giving thanks sure is.

Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, "Celebrate always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is what God wants for you, through Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Yes, that is a tall order for many. But if you knew what Paul's life was like, then perhaps you could try do the same. He knew deep suffering all too well, as do many of you. But Paul also knew something very special and he knew it intimately and he knew it was true. He needed that in order to celebrate or else he would have been crushed with hoplessness and misery.

God's Love, Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace are are available to everyone who wants them. Once you begin to understand these gifts, celebrating becomes a whole lot more easier and frequent even through the truly tough times.
This is what the world needs. Genuine and powerful gratitude by celebrating God and each other.

I am thankful for many things and one of the biggies is knowing what truth is and where I can find it.

Please stand strong in the promises of God. Ask your Pastor or Priest to remind you of these if you have forgotten them. If you have never heard them. Please ask someone who celebrates the Holyness of God.
He Loves You All find out how much.

May He Bless You and Keep You