Celebrate

Those of us who believe that Jesus is God, king, teacher, human, and has the words of eternal life have several things to celebrate in the coming weeks.

First, Reformation Day. Reformation Day is a minor festival celebrated in remembrance of the Reformation. It takes place on October 31 and is an official holiday in many countries. On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted a proposal to debate the doctrine and practice of indulgences. This proposal is popularly known as the 95 thesis, which he nailed to the Castle Church door. This was not an act of defiance or provocation as is sometimes thought. Since the Castle Church faced Wittenberg's main thoroughfare, the church door functioned as a public bulletin board and was therefore the logical place for posting important notices. It turned out that this action by Luther sparked a lot more than just a debate, but through the Reformation, many things that we all enjoy today (religious freedom, tolerance, removal of a theocracy, priesthood of all believers, access to the sacred writings of Christianity, restoration of God-centered theology, etc., etc.) came to hold sway in the world. So, nail a copy of the 95 thesis to your door, invite some people over, grill up some Brats, drink some German beer, say prayers of thanksgiving, talk about how you can be semper reformada (always reforming), and have a good time. The liturgical color of the day is red, which represents the Holy Spirit and the Martyrs of the Christian Church. Luther's hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God is traditionally sung on this day.

Secondly, All Saint's Day. All Saint's Day (November 1), also sometimes known as "All Hallows," or "Hallowmas" is a celebration of all the followers of Christ that have come before us. Halloween, or "All Hallows Eve," has part of its history in connection with this day. So, for the second day in a row, invite some people over, read stories about some of the great saints of the past, tell stories of Christians who have inpired you in your life,perhaps read Hebrews 11 and 12, say prayers for inspiration, and generally have a good time.

I commennd these festival days to you, and I think it is a shame that they have fallen into such disuse by many modern day Western Christians. We have much to remember, be thankful for, and celebrate on these days. May they spur all who celebrate them on to holiness, love, humility, the pushing back of darkness, and the honoring of Jesus.

Words from God

And God said, “Let there be light...Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters...Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear...Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth...Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth...Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens...Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds...Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." --Genesis 1:3-26

If God spoke creation into existence, then everything in creation is a word from God. We would do well to hear to those words, to listen to those words, and to learn what they have to teach us.

The Nativity Story

One family. One journey. One child, who would change the world. Forever.

That is the intro to the official website of the movie The Nativity Story to be released by New Line Cinema this December.

From the website:

"The Nativity Story chronicles the arduous journey of two people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, and the history-defining birth of Jesus."

Apparently, the film will follow the life of the Virgin Mary and Joseph over the two-year period leading up to the birth of Jesus, and then continuing several years afterward including the visit of the Magi and the vengeful rage of King Herod. My interest is definitely perked (Yes, I'm playing right into the hands of all those greedy Hollywood movie folks).

Wikipedia article about TNS

Unofficial TNS blog

Indiana Jones, Eat Your Heart Out

The top 15 finds from Biblical Archaeology is a fairly interesting read for those who are interested in that sort of thing.