I really dig this time of year. It does seem to get better and better, just like Duane said (you'd have heard it at AAPC Sunday School).
I like that it is the "Holiday Season." From Thanksgiving to New Years is like one big party. In the Old Testament we read about celebrations that take weeks and months or even more. I think we have a hard time conceiving of that because we live in a time when we think a party has to be one night when a bunch of people get together. But this time of year, at least to me, seems like a solid five week party. We have lots of get togethers with family and friends, and lots of good food.
I like how the whole thing is set up. The season has three major holidays, in which we celebrate three different but also connected things: first we give thanks for God's blessings and feast on the fat of such blessings, then we celebrate the victory of God's kingdom by sharing gifts with our loved ones as representation of the ultimate gift that was given for us, and then we face a new year - I time to reflect on the past and plan for an even better future.
For my house, I'd like to extend the season six more days to include Epiphany. The problem is, I don't quite know how to do it. Any suggestions?
Posted by at December 29, 2003 06:09 PMThat's so cool... thank you both... starting this year, I'm going to celebrate Epipheny, too... I'll give it more planning for next year... but since tonight's the night... and there's only me... I'll do something I haven't done in a while... walk the perimeter of my house... inside and out... and the perimeter of my yard... praying for God's blessings... and I'll draw a fish on my doorpost...
wow... i have a whole year to plan something for next year...
Posted by: Aunt Vickie at January 6, 2004 03:16 PM