There ought to be a home for
children to come to, and their children,
a central place,
to which they could always
bring their joys
and sorrows,
an old familiar place for
them to return to on
Sundays and Christmases.
An old home ought always to stand like a mother with open arms.
It ought to be here waiting for the children to come to it,
—like homing pigeons.
Bess Streeter Aldrich,
A Lantern in Her Hand
I have really enjoyed this book, over and over again. I purchased it in 1993 when our boys were little!
It gave us a better understanding as parents of some of the historical origins of holidays. Having that information was insightful, being that there are pagan origins of holidays we had no clue about. This book has encouraged us to have more intentional vision and purpose to celebrate Jesus every day of the year, and not just the calendar marked holidays. We learned from this book of special ways to bring Him to the forefront of our hearts and minds, and to make Him known and celebrated in our home every day.
Author Martha Zimmerman says, “The word ‘holiday’ comes from the phrase ‘holy day’, which means ‘a special day set apart for a spiritual purpose.’ Holidays are an opportunity to affirm our faith. Through them we communicate what we believe. Holidays invite us to participate with God’s people through the centuries in historic events that have effected all of time, including the present, preparing us for the future! They replay decisive events, reminding us of God’s marvelous works done on our behalf….
Meaningful celebrations are rooted in relationships, not obligations. As we encounter and are warmed by God’s love, we are drawn into deeper relationship that enables us to share His love with one another. Meaningful relationships are built as people experience Holy Days together. Every event, whether it be a simple early-morning candlelight breakfast or an elaborate Epiphany party, can be a celebration of God in our midst if we choose it to be!…
The challenge is to integrate your faith with your daily life so that they cannot be separated.”
Every chapter is full of historical information, and ideas of how to reclaim the calendar to celebrate Jesus!
Throughout the book, Martha encourages the reader to…
“Put something where you can see it so your eye will remind your heart.”
As a young mom, I attempted to do this, and still today, I appreciate precious reminders of the days we as a young family celebrated our holidays with more Christ centered purpose.
As I glance back through this book, I’m encouraged to consider returning to some of Martha’s suggestions for celebrating the next Christian year!
The first chapter (and I believe my favorite) in the book, aside from any specific holiday, Martha has this to say about “The Table: The Family’s Gathering Place”…
“Everyone is so busy. Restoring the principle that on at least special occasions the family gathers for a celebration will go a long way toward building family unity.”
Who’d have thought NOT gathering and NOT prioritizing time to share a meal would discourage relational unity? But it makes sense that NOT having a central place to meet, to sit down and invest time would aid disconnecting.
“Throughout the Old and New Testament the table is thought of as an altar. Approach your table where holiday meals are served as if it is an altar. Invite God to be present. Remember the Lord’s presence does not require long faces and formality. Rather, the table should be a place where people have a good time together in the very presence of the Lord” and one another.
And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the LORD your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 12:7
Our children too shall serve him, for they shall hear about the wonders of the Lord; generations yet unborn shall hear of all the miracles he did for us. Psalm 22:30-31, TLB
She closes the first chapter with this poem…
“The Risk
One takes a risk when one invites the Lord
Whether to dine or talk the afternoon
Away, for always the unexpected soon
Turns up: a woman breaks her precious nard,
A sinner does the task you should assume,
A leper who is cleansed must show his proof:
Suddenly you see your very roof removed
And a cripple lands in your living room.
There’s no telling what to expect when Christ
Walks in that door. The table is set for four
Must often be enlarged and decorum
Thrown to the wind. It’s His voice that calls them
And there’s no use to bolt and bar the door:
His kingdom knows no bounds- or roof, or wall, or floor.
Author Unknown
Such encouragement!!
LORD may this be so in our home and hearts! Please help us to be mindful of Your presence, Your provision, and those You bring to us! Please make ready our hearts daily to receive Your fellowship, and those who need the company of others to love and refresh them. May we welcome and love one another the way we say we love You.
I am thankful for the example of our dear mothers who lovingly encouraged us to gather around their tables for special celebrations of the year. Many years!! We have treasured memories of gathering, of being united and encouraged in our faith and strengthened in our family relationships. Our moms went many extra miles and made extra special efforts to prepare their tables and homes to welcome and love us. The Lord has given us a rich heritage!
I pray our children and grandchildren will always know the joy and comfort of being gathered, as often as we can arrange, and they will come, that our times of unity and fellowship would not be hindered by what modern culture has told them is difficult or inconvenient to do!
May the LORD daily draw our hearts to Him. I pray He’ll use our family table to be a place we gather to celebrate Him.
May our family grow into His fullness and bountiful love for one another. Without Him, we would live lonely and isolated lives!
I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
Psalm 145:1-5
Photos: Gathered around the tables of Meme and Mawmaw for birthday parties for Jesus
"This is a picture of Ganmama!"
October 18, 2022
I am honored and blessed that she was thinking of me. 🥰.
I hope that will never stop.
This is the Christmas crown
Not to be worn,
But to adorn
The top of the Christmas Tree.
For it has been told
By angels so bold
Of God leaving Heaven one night.
On that first Christmas eve
His crown He did leave
In Heaven until He returned.
For He placed it just where
Three kings were to stare
High in the eastern sky.
And it shone like a star
To those from afar
But in fact ‘twas the gold of His crown.
While that’s but a story
It’s true of His glory
And the crown He alone wears today.
So atop of my tree
This crown helps me see
What the King set aside all for me.
Author: Unknown
This is the first ornament I place on our tree each year.
It’s placement at the top of the tree is a reminder that Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself to come to earth in human likeness, as a baby, to took on flesh to live among us. He was born to a young virgin mother, whose heart after God was to trust His plan, even though she may be shamed and ridiculed for being pregnant.
This sermon was especially helpful to hear last Sunday morning, and I am all the more awed and encouraged to consider more Jesus’ humanness, the limitations and suffering He experienced to come as a baby, to live to die, that He may save us…
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/sgbcjax/sermons/12422184202705/
Dad and I are reading an advent devotional by J.C. Ryle which has also encouraged us to rightly consider Jesus’ first and second coming together.
Jesus is Lord of lords, and King of kings. When He came the first time to accomplish His Father’s will, He was despised and rejected, betrayed, condemned, and crucified.
He returned to His Father and now sits at His right hand. One day He will return to rule and reign as King over ALL!
I pray I will better understand how He wisely and lovingly rules and reigns over all now. I pray He’ll help me trust Him that I may better submit to His sovereign authority in all the circumstances of my life.
Our Christmas Crown reminds me of His Kingship today and everyday because He came!
Thank you, King Jesus!
