Category Archives: Holidays and Feasts

Embracing St. Nick

Embracing St. Nick
As some kids were sorting out Santa Claus and Jesus, one stated confidently to his friend that Santa Claus works for Jesus. That's actually truer than most would realize. The legend of Santa Claus is derived from the historic figure of Saint Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a 4th century Greek bishop from Myra, a city on…
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Prepare the way

Prepare the way
This is the season of advent. A time when we prepare for Christ’s coming. Long ago the prophets foretold of the Messiah’s coming, though the day and hour were not known. The people of Israel must have tired of looking – hoping and waiting over hundreds of years. During the darkest times of need, the…
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First Day of Advent

First Day of Advent
As a child, Sunday nights in December meant Advent devotions. The tradition pointed our hearts to the true reason for the Christmas holiday and sticks with me to this day as a meaningful and worthwhile tradition. My brother and I would take turns reading (after fighting to see who would light the candle) as our…
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Freely Thankful

Freely Thankful
The once in a lifetime union of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving gives us time to reflect on the similarities of these holidays. Where holidays can diminish when joined (think birthday on Christmas) they can also become more meaningful when the symbolism is connected. The Jewish tradition and Christian tradition this week actually are born out of…
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