For most, the Holy-Day season begins around October 31, All
November, the month of Thanksgiving., a time for us to cherish
those around us, our friends, our families, and our loved ones all while giving thanks for them, and the Blessings of God above. Furthermore, on November 11, we observe Armistice Day, a world holiday celebrating the end of World War II, while here in America, it’s Veterans Day, a day in which we honor all those who served in the armed forces of the United States, as well as the end of WWII. The fourth Thursday of November, each and every year, is observed as Thanksgiving Day, a day in which we celebrate the harvest, the blessings of God, and the love of family, just to name a few. The Thanksgiving Day Holiday originally began way back in the year 1621 in Plymouth colony as a celebration of the stellar harvest, and the kindness of the Native Americans who helped the early settlers survive the harsh winter of 1620.
The original Thanksgiving day was celebrated sometime between September and November of 1621 as mentioned above; however, unlike today, the original Thanksgiving was a multi-day celebration in which there citizens of Plymouth, and the Native Americans from the Patuxnet and Wampanoag tribes, native to what is now Massachusetts, USA, came together and played games, hunted and consumed wild turkey, deer, fish, and of course corn, wheat, and a plethora of other staples from their bumper crop. In 1863, after a declaration by President Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving was made a national holiday after a long hiatus, becoming the holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November about one hundred years later. Although Thanksgiving is traditionally known as an American holiday, it has become a day celebrated around the world, a day set aside to break bread with, and to share a meal with family and loved ones while showing appreciation for all the gifts from above, and the blessings of our Mighty God.
Speaking of gifts, it is now time to talk about the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Christmas; however, for those of the Jewish faith, this time of year means it’s time to observe the lighting of the candles, Hanukkah. For me, this is the best time of the year, a season of hope, love, family, and of giving. As a preacher’s kid, a twin, and the fifth child of seven children, my views of Christmas has always been first, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, secondly, it is a season of family and friends, as in my home growing up, blood wasn’t really much of a prerequisite for family. As far back as I can remember, my mom had moved anyone in need of help, into our home, once as a teenager, my mom picked up two homeless twin sisters, and moved them into my room: meaning that for several months, I had to live on the couch in the living room, which was not too big a deal, as the television was larger, and so watching football was awesome. Today, these two young ladies still call me brother, and are considered part of our family to this day. Looking back even further, I have childhood memories of opening gifts with my siblings as my parents looked on with heartfelt happiness and joy. On one occasion, and this is a story I shared recently while preaching at the church of a friend, I recall asking my parents for a bicycle, forget the fact that I did not know how to ride one, but I wanted one badly, myself and all of my five brothers as well.
As the story goes, my twin brother and I asked my parents for a bike on our birthday that year, I believe we were somewhere between eight and nine years old; however, my parents said that they could not do it that year, as sorry as they were. Of course, as the year went on, my other brothers requested bikes for themselves as well, and unfortunately, we all received the same reply, “we just can’t do it this year,” and so we just moved on. And so, finally Christmas is here, our hope is high, and as Christmas approached, we searched everywhere, the backyard shed, the garage, the attic, and every single closet in the home, big or small, whether a bike could logically fit into that room or not, and yet we found nothing. So now comes Christmas morning, we all jump up as early as we could, running into the living room, and there our parents were patiently waiting, coffee in hand, slippers on their feet, and smiles on their faces. Each year, my parents would leave only a few gifts under the tree in the days leading up to Christmas morning, waiting until after the kids had all fallen asleep, to then load up the tree from right to left, left to right, up to down, and all around. This Christmas morning was no different, and as we all rushed in, five boys and two girls, we began ripping open boxes, finding toys, clothes, shoes, socks, and even candy; however, there were not a bike to be witnessed anywhere.
And so, we showed our appreciation with hugs and kisses, tears of joy, and Christmas cards formed out of printer paper, tissue, glue, and of course, construction paper, you can’t have a home made card without colored construction paper. After a while, my mom instructed us boys to grab up all of the trash, boxes, G.I.Joe packages, place them in a bag, and take them outside to the garbage cans. Reluctantly, we did as we told, placing our new favorite toys down for just long enough, to pick up the trash, and to do as we were told. After picking up the trash and stuffing it all into two black thirty gallon plastic garbage bags before walking them outside to the back of the house where the trash cans were stored, and there, right before our eyes, five sparkling new bicycles, with all the late 70’s to early 80’s styling you can imagine, complete with an orange flag, way too many reflectors, and stringers hanging from the speckled handles at the end of the handlebars.
My brothers and I were so excited, we quickly grabbed those
brand new bicycles and began crashing into trees, fences, trash cans, and even cars, we had such an awesome time, that we forgot all about the freshly opened gifts spread all over the house. Because we were all so excited about the bikes, we stayed outside for hours; honestly, at that point, before receiving that much desired Christmas bike, I did not even know how to ride a bike, but that did not matter, I happy to fall down, time and time again. Inside and spread across the living room floor, every single Luke Skywalker, G.I.Joe, You Darth Vader, and storm trooper, even He-Man himself was left alone, like Woody and his pals in Toy Story. On that Holy-Day morning, we were so excited, and seeing the smile on our faces placed an even bigger smile on the faces of our parents.
Looking back upon that day, and after witnessing the pride, joy, and smiles on the faces of my mom, dad; as well as my sisters and brothers, I can only imagine just how God must feel as He looks down from heaven upon you and I, His children, His creation, and the apple of His eye. You and I, with all of our imperfections, God continues to love us all, each and every single one of us, even as we attempt to live according to His wishes, and inevitably fall short. And it is because of this, the reason for the season that we celebrate, the love of Christ
Jesus the Messiah, the One who gave it all for you and I. As I had written in the paragraph above, the word "holiday," is simply the conjunction of the words, Holy, and Day, and so, when someone declares to you, "Happy Holidays," they are really declaring to you, "Happy Holy Days." And so, whether an individual who speaks these words realizes it or not, when they declare, "Merry Christmas," or "Happy Holidays," they are truly sharing with you, the same joyful gesture, and have; unbeknownst to them, acknowledged what we already know, that without God, every other day is just that, a day in which not knowing God, is not living, it is simply breathing to death.
Matthew 7:7,9,11
Ask, and it shall be given, seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened...what man is there of you, who if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? ...if then, mankind being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to those that ask of Him?
Jesus Christ Himself, is the best gift of all. For those of us who teach our children about God, we are giving to them, the Gift of all. And please, listen to me here when I say, or well, when I write this to you. As the children of Adam and Eve, we are born flawed, we are born as sinners; therefore, even as we have learned of God as a child, we may not always live that life out as adults. But here is the the kicker, even when we are afar off from God, He still hears our prayers, and He responds to them. And so, with that said, please understand this, the above scriptures are true, if we ask of God, that which we need, He is Faithful and Just, to give to us, what we have asked for.
Many of you, may be where I was a few years ago, far from God, living in a life that was far from His will; however, when I needed Him, I recalled the lessons I learned as a child, that when I call upon the Lord, He hears from Heaven, and immediately moves to come to our aid, and so, I called upon the Name of Jesus, and He came to my rescue. This is the only reason that I believe I am alive today, because God moved, when I called upon Him, and if He did it for me, He will do it for you, if only you would believe.
And so, as you read this essay, consider giving God a chance, allow Him to become the gift in your life, that keeps on giving... P.S. I wish to share with you and yours, a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and the Best Holy-Day season of all...
