Daily Devotions - Monday, December 8

Holy Days, Holy Seasons

“And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ”
--Isaiah 9: 6b

Holidays. We think of that word and a number of pictures come to mind. First and foremost, a holiday is a Holy Day, a festival day set aside for people to celebrate a sacred happening. Some Holy Days spread themselves out into a series of days, an example being the “twelve days of Christmas”. Several of the world’s major religions have holy seasons during this part of the calendar year. This week we will look at some of these holy days/holy seasons.

Christianity, the largest of the world’s religions, actually celebrates the holy day of Christmas in a variety of ways. A significant number of Christians are known as Eastern Orthodox Christians. Eastern Christianity is significantly different from Western Christianity—both are Christian and they probably would not even recognize their common lineage during this holiday season. Today we think about Eastern Christianity.

The Christmas holiday is not very significant in Eastern tradition. There is some festivity surrounding the Holy Family and the Holy Child, of whom the prophet said would have many names. Orthodox churches that are found in our Western culture (Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and Serbian Orthodox to name a few) may adapt some of the Western traditions, like the exchanging of gifts. Generally this is a difficult struggle for these Orthodox believers who tend to be more liturgically centered, approaching the day with more regard for worship than family festivity.

Our nation is filled with Western practices relating to Christmas and sometimes it is difficult to understand that some believers don’t make a “big deal” about this special holiday. The prophet stated that the child who was born would have many names. It seems right, then, that there would be many ways to recognize his birth. Thanks to God for the gift of the Eastern Orthodox practice of Christianity.

A prayer: God, who comes to this world again and again, may we always honor the many ways your people recognize you. Amen.

Ben Keckler
12.08.08