Webster’s Dictionary tells us that the word holiday came
from the two Old English words “holy” and “day”. That looks reasonable to me.
Of course those two words look nothing like their Old English equivalents, but
over the years we all change a little.
Consider all those “holy days” we experience between
November 1 and January 1. All Saints Day doesn’t get the press it should
especially if we use it to highlight the examples of those departed believers who
were true saints. Veterans’ Day calls us to remember our freedom as Americans
and the high price that freedom costs.
I would ask that we put on our calendars each year the
second Sunday of November as we remember those who pay high prices for their
faith in Christ where freedom is not so common. The month of November concludes
with a reminder that we have much for which we should give thanks, Thanksgiving
Day. A bounty of food is only the beginning of what most of us have here in
America. Opportunity comes with perseverance and sweat. We have freedom from
fear of our government, and if sometimes we doubt that, then we should remember
what citizens in many other countries face every day.
For Christians late November/early December opens the Advent
season. Though the 25th is the only day of celebration on the
calendar, many Americans are getting into the mood for the season even before
Thanksgiving. The four Sundays of Advent, those immediately preceding Christmas
Day, are noted by many. Christmas Eve brings out special celebrations both
religious and secular.
Christmas Day has become a holiday for the western world
celebrated by most elements of society. Leave Christ out and you take nothing
from the human need to celebrate something. It comes under the title of
Hanukkah, the beginning of the Twelve Days of Christmas, the beginning of
Kwanzaa, or a revitalized form of Saturnalia. Perhaps some give it no more
importance than the fact most of us survived the winter solstice!
New Year’s
Day caps it all off with another reason to sleep late, eat Christmas leftovers,
and fall asleep watching more football games.
Do any of these “holidays” still qualify as “holy days”?
That may exist only in the mind of the observer. The Apostle Paul says this
about special days,
Rom 14:5 One person esteems one day as better than
another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully
convinced in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 The one who observes the day, observes it in
honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives
thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and
gives thanks to God. (English Standard Version)
If you think some days are extra special, how do you honor
God through your actions on those days? Do you honor God on the other days as
well? He doesn’t change from day to day. Do you? Since God created all days, how do we declare
all days deserving of special recognition?
In Judaism the last day of the week, Saturday, is the day of
the Sabbath. In Christendom we have chosen to honor Sunday, the first day of
the week, in remembrance of the day that Jesus was resurrected from the grave.
Both groups have taught that the day should be handled differently (Blue laws,
etc), which leaves us wondering how do we treat the other days of the week.
Perhaps the Apostle had it right. What you can do in good
conscience and in recognition of the holy nature of God, do it with joy. Refrain
from what would hurt your conscience because in doing so you would dishonor
God. Whether your special day is every day, comes once a week, or only when the
calendar says it has arrived, make that holiday a holy day. Remember why it is
important to you. Think and act in a way that shows you are honoring the God
who is Creator of all days. That should keep you and everyone around you happy
for the holidays.
