Holy Days, Holy Seasons
“For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall never be shaken.”
--Psalm 62: 1, 2
During this week we have examined holy days and/or seasons that make up the rhythm of “the holidays.” There is a common thread in the religious holidays of the world’s religions. Woven throughout the fabric of all religious communities is the theme that “light (divine light) is visible in the midst of personal darkness.” The language that describes this belief is demonstrated in a variety of symbolic ways. For generations people of all faiths have taken great pride in their “stream of faith” that allows God to empower their souls. As co-participants in a global village, the present moment is a good time for us to grow in our understanding and appreciation of the ways each religion expresses their convictions.
At my hospital office we have a book entitled “A Hospital Handbook on Multiculturalism and Religion.” In this book are insights about the beliefs and practices of the major religions, as well as discussions about the significance of attitudes, rites, rituals, and dietary observances. How important it is for us in the healthcare field to be aware and understanding of the beliefs and practices of those we serve.
Most who read this devotion today will be Western Christians caught up in the busy-ness of our holiday season. Take time to listen to the heartbeat of other faith traditions. When we do this, God alone will be our rock and another step will be taken to having a global village dwelling together in peace.
A prayer: Holy God, be near your people this Holy Season. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.12.08
Showing posts with label Celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebrations. Show all posts
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, December 11
Holy Days, Holy Seasons
“He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the need,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.”
--Isaiah 11:3
We continue to look at various holy days/holy seasons of the world’s major religions.
Western Christianity’s celebrations surrounding Christmas are probably the most festive of all religious holiday celebrations. Even during the season of preparation, commonly known as Advent, Christians are anxious to sing the carols of Christmas. In the United States, it is common for all the Christmas traditions from the birth of Christ to Saint Nicholas to be displayed inside and outside of homes and businesses. Western Christians, whether in impoverished countries like Nicaragua or in affluent countries like the United States and Canada, demonstrate their festive spirits in many ways. Acts of charity increase, social and religious calendars are filled and Christians welcome the gift of Emmanuel with gifts (large or small) to family and friends.
A prayer: O gift of God revealed among us, shine through our hearts this Christmas. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.11.08
“He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the need,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.”
--Isaiah 11:3
We continue to look at various holy days/holy seasons of the world’s major religions.
Western Christianity’s celebrations surrounding Christmas are probably the most festive of all religious holiday celebrations. Even during the season of preparation, commonly known as Advent, Christians are anxious to sing the carols of Christmas. In the United States, it is common for all the Christmas traditions from the birth of Christ to Saint Nicholas to be displayed inside and outside of homes and businesses. Western Christians, whether in impoverished countries like Nicaragua or in affluent countries like the United States and Canada, demonstrate their festive spirits in many ways. Acts of charity increase, social and religious calendars are filled and Christians welcome the gift of Emmanuel with gifts (large or small) to family and friends.
A prayer: O gift of God revealed among us, shine through our hearts this Christmas. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.11.08
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, December 10
Holy Days, Holy Seasons
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
--Psalm 27: 1
This week we are looking at holy days/holy seasons celebrated during this time of the year by several of the world’s major religions.
The Jewish community commences a celebration known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. The season is Hanukkah or Chanukkah. Each evening during the season, Jewish families and communities light an additional candle on their menorahs until all eight are burning. The 27th Psalm gives a poetic backdrop for what these people of faith are celebrating.
The festival season commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple after the Jews defeated the Hellenist Syrians (Greeks) in 165 BC. Three years prior (168 BC) the temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus and a battle for control of the holy place was waged. Judah Maccabee and his soldiers, upon claiming victory, went to the holy Temple and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They decided to rededicate the temple and light the menorah. Legend tells us they finally found some oil, enough for one day. Miraculously, however, the oil lasted for eight days. Now, the season is remembered by lighting menorah candles each night for the eight days, during this time the people celebrate the power of God and the faithfulness of Israel.
A prayer: God, who has been and still is the light and salvation of those who trust in you, be my light and salvation again today as I work among your creation. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.10.08
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
--Psalm 27: 1
This week we are looking at holy days/holy seasons celebrated during this time of the year by several of the world’s major religions.
The Jewish community commences a celebration known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. The season is Hanukkah or Chanukkah. Each evening during the season, Jewish families and communities light an additional candle on their menorahs until all eight are burning. The 27th Psalm gives a poetic backdrop for what these people of faith are celebrating.
The festival season commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple after the Jews defeated the Hellenist Syrians (Greeks) in 165 BC. Three years prior (168 BC) the temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus and a battle for control of the holy place was waged. Judah Maccabee and his soldiers, upon claiming victory, went to the holy Temple and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They decided to rededicate the temple and light the menorah. Legend tells us they finally found some oil, enough for one day. Miraculously, however, the oil lasted for eight days. Now, the season is remembered by lighting menorah candles each night for the eight days, during this time the people celebrate the power of God and the faithfulness of Israel.
A prayer: God, who has been and still is the light and salvation of those who trust in you, be my light and salvation again today as I work among your creation. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.10.08
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, December 9
Holy Days, Holy Seasons
“I will create new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.”
--Isaiah 65.17
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 are looking at some of these holy days/holy seasons.
During the week from Christmas to New Year’s, there is a festival called Kwanzaa. This celebration is a faith-based observance primarily celebrated by many North Americans of West African descent. A seven-branched candelabrum is used to call the celebrants to focus on important attributes for living life with integrity. The attributes include the following: unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Each day of the festival another candle is lit and participants focus on the meaning of one of these characteristics.
New festivals emerge in culture, often rooted in old traditions. It is important to learn about them and understand their significance. Taking the time to incorporate the unfamiliar with our time-honored traditions, we may very well find a meaning of the text for today. The characteristics examined during Kwanzaa deserve special attention in every person’s life.
A prayer: Creator God, continually open us to the new things you have for your creation. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.09.08
“I will create new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.”
--Isaiah 65.17
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 are looking at some of these holy days/holy seasons.
During the week from Christmas to New Year’s, there is a festival called Kwanzaa. This celebration is a faith-based observance primarily celebrated by many North Americans of West African descent. A seven-branched candelabrum is used to call the celebrants to focus on important attributes for living life with integrity. The attributes include the following: unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Each day of the festival another candle is lit and participants focus on the meaning of one of these characteristics.
New festivals emerge in culture, often rooted in old traditions. It is important to learn about them and understand their significance. Taking the time to incorporate the unfamiliar with our time-honored traditions, we may very well find a meaning of the text for today. The characteristics examined during Kwanzaa deserve special attention in every person’s life.
A prayer: Creator God, continually open us to the new things you have for your creation. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.09.08
Monday, December 8, 2008
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
“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
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