Pearlz from Shelz: holi-day blessings

It's the most wonderful time of the year....Don't you just love it!

It is important to me to not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of gift-buying and socialzing; but to treasure the reason for the season and, in this knowledge, enjoy family and friends. You might think that one shouldn't get caught up in the religiousity of these days either - but I feel like one of the three wise men with a secret. When the whole story is revealed as to what is behind this season, my joy is joy unspeakable! From heritage, i.e. the Hebrews who lived in expectation of the Messiah to those who walked with Jesus and before through the early and evolving church to believers today, we can grow in how Christ has revealed Himself to us and, without any other gift, be the richer for it. So my advise is choose what you get caught up in - world, no; eternal life, yes! Let's take a look at the celebration ahead!

Advent Season (Dec 3 - Dec 24, 2006)
Hanukkah (begins December 15, 2006)
Christmas Time - Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec 25, 2006 - Jan 5, 2007)
Kwanzaa (December 26 to Jan 1)
Epiphany - and Ordinary Time until Lent) (Jan 6 - Feb 20, 2007)

Capsulization from these sites:

Practically tipped off by the season of Thanksgiving we have Advent - (from Latin adventus, “coming”), a period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. It begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30.

There is the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah (aka Chanukah or Hanukah), celebrated on eight successive days to honor the restoration of divine worship in the Temple after it had been defiled by heathens. The return of their religious liberty was to them as life from the dead and, in remembrance of it, they kept an annual holiday on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev. Kislev is the third month of the Jewish calendar corresponding, approximately, to early December in the Gregorian calendar. Jesus kept this festival. The principal source for the story is found in the Talmud.

Christmas or Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Theologically, Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of God in Jesus the Christ, the self-revelation of God to the world in human form for the reconciliation of humanity to Himself. All the details of the various accounts concerning Jesus’ birth revolve around that central truth. Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate it on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar.

The origin of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures. In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came. In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, or el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag). Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th.
Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a secular observance honoring African-American heritage and values, almost exclusively by African-Americans in the United States of America. Note, however, in the cited site the seven-branch candle holder, the "Kinara," was not used in African traditions, and suggested a symbol of Judaism, the Menorah, was borrowed to match the seven principles of Kwanzaa. There is, however, a history of blacks in Judaism, going back to at least the time of Sheba. Also, historically for African-Americans, the Exodus, the "going forth" of the Children of Israel, has served as a metaphor for their struggle as a people.

Epiphany is a Christian feast celebrating the 'shining forth' or revelation of God to mankind in human form, in the person of Jesus Christ. The observance had its origins in the eastern Christian churches, and included the birth of Jesus Christ; the visit of the three Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) who arrived in Bethlehem; and all of Jesus' childhood events, up to his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist. The feast was initially based on (and viewed as a fulfillment of) the Jewish Feast of Lights. This was fixed on January 6.

This is a season rich in all that Christ means to us and the values we should uphold not just seasonally but in our daily lives. However, this season, I encourage you to delve into a devotional communion with Him and let Him speak to your heart. Holi-day Blessings to you, every one!