Holiday Blessings
I looked up the definition of ‘holiday’ and found 183 terms for the word. In British English, a holiday is defined as “an extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home or in travelling.” The North American definition adds “a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done.” A good characteristic is any event that is festive or adds a holiday atmosphere – a gala or carnival day, a religious festival, or a day of observance.
I have a simpler definition which is FAMILY-TIME. Enjoying this time together means a lot to me because I grew up in a very turbulent atmosphere. This was no fault of my mother, but life was - life. Over the years things have changed for the better. I realize that every family dynamic is different, but as long as I have been an adult, holidays have been happy celebrations of coming together and enjoying the company of one another. I call this a time of food, fun, and fellowship. First and foremost, we celebrate being Christians. Secondly, we celebrate the goodness of God in one another. Then we celebrate our friends and neighbors.
There is an old song I grew up with, by Johnson Oatman Jr. in 1897, celebrating gratitude and faith: “Count your blessings one by one, count your many blessings and see what God has done.” When I’m asked how I’m doing, my reply is “I am thankful for my life and those I celebrate life with.” As we approach this coming Holiday season, let each day be a blessing and time of celebration for you and your loved ones.
“So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:1-7 ESV).
I have a simpler definition which is FAMILY-TIME. Enjoying this time together means a lot to me because I grew up in a very turbulent atmosphere. This was no fault of my mother, but life was - life. Over the years things have changed for the better. I realize that every family dynamic is different, but as long as I have been an adult, holidays have been happy celebrations of coming together and enjoying the company of one another. I call this a time of food, fun, and fellowship. First and foremost, we celebrate being Christians. Secondly, we celebrate the goodness of God in one another. Then we celebrate our friends and neighbors.
There is an old song I grew up with, by Johnson Oatman Jr. in 1897, celebrating gratitude and faith: “Count your blessings one by one, count your many blessings and see what God has done.” When I’m asked how I’m doing, my reply is “I am thankful for my life and those I celebrate life with.” As we approach this coming Holiday season, let each day be a blessing and time of celebration for you and your loved ones.
“So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:1-7 ESV).