Monday, December 2

 

 

 

“These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.”
(Leviticus 23:2, NIV)

 

Old Testament life was full of feasts and festivals. These feasts were extended pauses in the normal rhythm of life. Extended times of reflection replaced the normal busyness of life. At the Feast of Passover, the ancient Israelites remembered God’s deliverance from Egypt. At the Feast of Tabernacles, God’s provision in the wilderness was in their minds. At the Feast of Firstfruits, they gave thanks for another good harvest. These Holy Days (holidays) were celebrated with the simple but enduring pleasures of life — great meals, family and a break from work — with each offering a chance and reason to give thanks and remember God’s goodness.

 

As we are entering into the Christmas Holy Days, we should take a break from the normal chaos that surrounds us. It’s a great time to enjoy simple pleasures: mom’s cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, extended time with our family, catching up with old friends, lazy afternoons in front of the TV. Like the festivals of the Old Testament, these times are God’s gift to us that we can use to break away from our normal routine and remember the miraculous provision of the Incarnation.

 

Unfortunately, we too often let the busyness of our normal lives get replaced with the busyness of the holidays. Endless preparations, buying of gifts, and parties supersede moments to remember and time to simply enjoy. I hope that you find some calm and stillness on this Holy Day to remember God’s great gift to us in Jesus Christ and all that for which we are thankful.

Dr. Nathan Lane
Associate Provost for Instruction