Deuteronomy 16
Moses reviews the various celebrations and festivals that are to be kept in chapter 16. Everyone was required to attend these festivals and some of them lasted for many days.
Yesterday, I reviewed with some of our members the ritual that we have been keeping of "chalking the door" at the beginning of the New Year. It will not be taking place on Epiphany simply because that festival is largely ignored in the church. Epiphany lands on a Friday this year. Now how many Lutherans do you think are going to show up for worship on a Friday? So, we "chalk the door" and ask God to bless the sanctuary on the Sunday prior to Ephiphany, which just happens to be New Years Day this year. I've also never quite understood how it has happened that in so many places we give gifts on Christmas day rather than on Epiphany in remembrance of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus. Now, of course, none of these things have been required of us, by God, to be observed. However; that being said, all these festival and holy days in the church year are reminders, opportunities to review, and to celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done for us.
The church (at least in the U.S.) over the years has largely forgotten the church year and what each holy day is all about. During Advent, we sing Christmas carols, forgetting that Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the Lord's coming. Our attendance at Worship on Christmas Eve, sky rockets as people make what they consider one of the 2 annual obligations to worship. But, for the last couple of years, the council voted to not have a Worship Service on Christmas Day because other than me, only those who are serving during worship were attending. This year we will have one service (rather than 2) on Christmas day because it lands on a Sunday. Christmas, I am told, is for families. In speaking with our Sunday School children a couple of weeks ago, it was decided that we should celebrate Jesus' birthday with a birthday cake after Worship on Christmas Day this year to celebrate our brother, Jesus', birthday. Children know how to have parties and so we will celebrate "family style" with a birthday cake.
Easter is the other big holy day, which people tend not to neglect. But, again, the season preceding Easter is often neglected. During Lent, as well as Advent, we have Worship also on Wednesdays. Attendance on Wednesdays is usually the same faithful people who gather to remember and thank God for all that He has done for us on Sundays. I thank God for these faithful children of God. But, during Holy Week, very few come to hear the story of Christ's passion. It always causes me to wonder how small the remnant might actually be. I wonder what people are really celebrating on Easter morning if they haven't been with us to review the events of at least Good Friday.
So, I find myself often reminding people what these various holy days are all about. I particularly love Trinity Sunday when I pull out the Athanasian Creed. I think it is important for people to remember what it is that we, as Lutheran Christians, believe. We need to remember who God is. As it seems, it is not only I who has the short memory.
May God bring to your remembrance where you have been. May He help you to always remember that He is the one that has brought you out of bondage and given you new life through Jesus Christ, our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Moses reviews the various celebrations and festivals that are to be kept in chapter 16. Everyone was required to attend these festivals and some of them lasted for many days.
Yesterday, I reviewed with some of our members the ritual that we have been keeping of "chalking the door" at the beginning of the New Year. It will not be taking place on Epiphany simply because that festival is largely ignored in the church. Epiphany lands on a Friday this year. Now how many Lutherans do you think are going to show up for worship on a Friday? So, we "chalk the door" and ask God to bless the sanctuary on the Sunday prior to Ephiphany, which just happens to be New Years Day this year. I've also never quite understood how it has happened that in so many places we give gifts on Christmas day rather than on Epiphany in remembrance of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus. Now, of course, none of these things have been required of us, by God, to be observed. However; that being said, all these festival and holy days in the church year are reminders, opportunities to review, and to celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done for us.
The church (at least in the U.S.) over the years has largely forgotten the church year and what each holy day is all about. During Advent, we sing Christmas carols, forgetting that Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the Lord's coming. Our attendance at Worship on Christmas Eve, sky rockets as people make what they consider one of the 2 annual obligations to worship. But, for the last couple of years, the council voted to not have a Worship Service on Christmas Day because other than me, only those who are serving during worship were attending. This year we will have one service (rather than 2) on Christmas day because it lands on a Sunday. Christmas, I am told, is for families. In speaking with our Sunday School children a couple of weeks ago, it was decided that we should celebrate Jesus' birthday with a birthday cake after Worship on Christmas Day this year to celebrate our brother, Jesus', birthday. Children know how to have parties and so we will celebrate "family style" with a birthday cake.
Easter is the other big holy day, which people tend not to neglect. But, again, the season preceding Easter is often neglected. During Lent, as well as Advent, we have Worship also on Wednesdays. Attendance on Wednesdays is usually the same faithful people who gather to remember and thank God for all that He has done for us on Sundays. I thank God for these faithful children of God. But, during Holy Week, very few come to hear the story of Christ's passion. It always causes me to wonder how small the remnant might actually be. I wonder what people are really celebrating on Easter morning if they haven't been with us to review the events of at least Good Friday.
So, I find myself often reminding people what these various holy days are all about. I particularly love Trinity Sunday when I pull out the Athanasian Creed. I think it is important for people to remember what it is that we, as Lutheran Christians, believe. We need to remember who God is. As it seems, it is not only I who has the short memory.
May God bring to your remembrance where you have been. May He help you to always remember that He is the one that has brought you out of bondage and given you new life through Jesus Christ, our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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