I love the Anglican Church because we celebrate all of them, feasting, fasting, rejoicing, lamenting, singing, praying, contemplating, etc. I didn’t always appreciate these things, but have grown to love the church calendar. The rhythm helps me remember and keeps me focused. I love Epiphany because I get to wonder at the mystery of it all! The grace and mercy of our God, the wonder of the wise coming from far away as we all ultimately do giving up preconceived ideas, the mystery of the journey itself which we’re left to ponder, the craziness of finding the Creator of all vulnerable in an apropos feeding trough become altar, the 30 years he lived incognito, his unexplainable love, and on and on! So much to ponder, so short a time to ponder it, but joy! there will be another!
The last five or so years, since my children were born, I’ve been pretty bowled over by both Eastertide and Advent.
Particularly I have come to love Holy Week leading up to Easter. It is a precious time to me. For Holy Week, we try to go to as many services as we can. I love the Maundy Thursday service. The first time I went to one, I thought, “there’s no way they’ll actually wash people’s feet, that’s so inefficient” and sure enough. Everyone’s feet got washed.
For Good Friday, my personal tradition is to tackle the most ambitious baking project I can manage. I love the feeling of preparation for a feast. The impending joy of Sunday is so present to me this way.
In Advent, lighting advent candles each night with our children and singing hymns around the dinner table is one of my favorites too.
I didn't grow up celebrating any spiritual traditions... we had plenty of traditions, but I think they were practiced incidentally. When you shared some of your story in the Happiest Saddest People, my wife and I both talked about how it sounded so familiar to our upbringing. We've been trying to be more intentional about celebrating Advent and Easter and more, but I'd love to increase our practices.
Right now, my favorite celebration is Advent... the hopeful expectation, the promise that Yahweh sees and is working, even in the small things. It is so easy for me to treat Jesus' coming as a PAST event only, but HE is coming again. That's the part that requires faith - while I believe Yahweh loves celebrations, I think the transformational side of them is to see how they help us both remember how HE worked in the past and how HE is both working both now and tomorrow.
I love all the religious holidays and personally celebrate each in a different way. Advent is a favorite. I set aside the time period to focus on scriptures and devotionals that look forward to the coming of Christ and incorporate those thoughts into the anticipation of Christmas for my family. I listen to the Messiah frequently (for Easter as well). I study the history of hymns and carols relating to these times. I enjoy advent activities. Even our pups enjoy advent treats.
This year my sister gave me an "advent" jigsaw puzzle - 1000 pieces, but broken down into each day of advent. Each section was a depiction of Christian art. As I worked each piece, I studied the art and the meaning of each detail. What fun that was - and a great focus on Christ and his life.
I did not grow up with any church traditions. As I have aged in faith, I love Easter and understanding what Yahweh started back in Exodus with Moses. He made a way for salvation, that has been his plan from the beginning. I see this pattern of redemption everywhere in the Bible. I think God knew we needed to remember, to contemplate this, and to remind ourselves of who Yahweh is. This is something that I would like to dig deeper into understanding some of these traditions and apply out of faith, not works.
I love your story, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing. (i don't generally go for big jewelry, but i'd love to have a bracelet (or pin or whatever) like the one you describe!)
I am definitely growing in appreciation for parts of "the church calendar", especially Advent and Lent, and love many of the morning and evening prayers that I see posted by my Anglican friends.
I have been in a few different church denominations and treasure the seasons of life when I’ve been a part of Christian communities that recognize the church calendar. I think it is a beautiful way to remember the big picture of God’s story. While the incarnation and resurrection can be celebrated any time (and should!) there is something so special about a community of people pondering these mysteries together.
My favorite tradition is singing and hearing music that facilitates reflection during advent and Easter.
My family and I have tried, failed, and continue to try to observe Sabbath. It’s been very counter-cultural and humbling. Sometimes it is beautiful and joyful ,and sometimes I get caught up in legalism and perfectionism. I know that it is the rest that we deeply need and that it’s out of this rest that we can really do holy work, but it takes a lot of preparation. It has required faith to keep the Sabbath because it would be so much easier in many ways to not practice it all. We are relatively new to observing the Sabbath so my hope is that it will one day be much more natural and easy.
I grew up in a liturgical church and have lived my entire life in the rhythms and celebrations of the church year. Year after year, those celebrations have helped keep my faith anchored in the Story of Jesus. In the last decade particularly, it has been delightful to see growing numbers of people drawn to the beauty and depth of this tradition. One of my favorite days is the Annunciation, when Mary answers the message of the angel: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." The first disciple and her example of faith astonish me every year.
Advent is my absolute favorite. I’m really diving into Lent this year as I want to celebrate it and learn more about it. Any book recommendations would be great. I love Advent because I get to join ancient waiters as we await the Ancient of Days. I always pray that God would allow me to feel myself waiting with them and feel their weight of their belief. It doesn’t take faith to celebrate it but it takes faith to wait as they did.
We also didn’t celebrate the religious holidays. I don’t officially celebrate them now, but I put more thought into the holidays now. Trying to mesh the old me and the new me. Our church has a nativity scene along with a variety of animas. Signs were put up to tell the story of Jesus-birth to death. I love that.
I love the Anglican Church because we celebrate all of them, feasting, fasting, rejoicing, lamenting, singing, praying, contemplating, etc. I didn’t always appreciate these things, but have grown to love the church calendar. The rhythm helps me remember and keeps me focused. I love Epiphany because I get to wonder at the mystery of it all! The grace and mercy of our God, the wonder of the wise coming from far away as we all ultimately do giving up preconceived ideas, the mystery of the journey itself which we’re left to ponder, the craziness of finding the Creator of all vulnerable in an apropos feeding trough become altar, the 30 years he lived incognito, his unexplainable love, and on and on! So much to ponder, so short a time to ponder it, but joy! there will be another!
Walter, my friend, how have I not noticed you here before? Such fond memories of a season serving together.
Indeed, I remember you with much fondness.
Thank you for sharing your joy and grown appreciation of the Anglican celebrations!
I love stumbling through the church calendar.
The last five or so years, since my children were born, I’ve been pretty bowled over by both Eastertide and Advent.
Particularly I have come to love Holy Week leading up to Easter. It is a precious time to me. For Holy Week, we try to go to as many services as we can. I love the Maundy Thursday service. The first time I went to one, I thought, “there’s no way they’ll actually wash people’s feet, that’s so inefficient” and sure enough. Everyone’s feet got washed.
For Good Friday, my personal tradition is to tackle the most ambitious baking project I can manage. I love the feeling of preparation for a feast. The impending joy of Sunday is so present to me this way.
In Advent, lighting advent candles each night with our children and singing hymns around the dinner table is one of my favorites too.
Baking on Good Friday is genius!! Putting the dough in the tomb of the proofing drawer. Watching it rise. Come on.
I didn't grow up celebrating any spiritual traditions... we had plenty of traditions, but I think they were practiced incidentally. When you shared some of your story in the Happiest Saddest People, my wife and I both talked about how it sounded so familiar to our upbringing. We've been trying to be more intentional about celebrating Advent and Easter and more, but I'd love to increase our practices.
Right now, my favorite celebration is Advent... the hopeful expectation, the promise that Yahweh sees and is working, even in the small things. It is so easy for me to treat Jesus' coming as a PAST event only, but HE is coming again. That's the part that requires faith - while I believe Yahweh loves celebrations, I think the transformational side of them is to see how they help us both remember how HE worked in the past and how HE is both working both now and tomorrow.
I love all the religious holidays and personally celebrate each in a different way. Advent is a favorite. I set aside the time period to focus on scriptures and devotionals that look forward to the coming of Christ and incorporate those thoughts into the anticipation of Christmas for my family. I listen to the Messiah frequently (for Easter as well). I study the history of hymns and carols relating to these times. I enjoy advent activities. Even our pups enjoy advent treats.
This year my sister gave me an "advent" jigsaw puzzle - 1000 pieces, but broken down into each day of advent. Each section was a depiction of Christian art. As I worked each piece, I studied the art and the meaning of each detail. What fun that was - and a great focus on Christ and his life.
I did not grow up with any church traditions. As I have aged in faith, I love Easter and understanding what Yahweh started back in Exodus with Moses. He made a way for salvation, that has been his plan from the beginning. I see this pattern of redemption everywhere in the Bible. I think God knew we needed to remember, to contemplate this, and to remind ourselves of who Yahweh is. This is something that I would like to dig deeper into understanding some of these traditions and apply out of faith, not works.
I love your story, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing. (i don't generally go for big jewelry, but i'd love to have a bracelet (or pin or whatever) like the one you describe!)
I am definitely growing in appreciation for parts of "the church calendar", especially Advent and Lent, and love many of the morning and evening prayers that I see posted by my Anglican friends.
I have been in a few different church denominations and treasure the seasons of life when I’ve been a part of Christian communities that recognize the church calendar. I think it is a beautiful way to remember the big picture of God’s story. While the incarnation and resurrection can be celebrated any time (and should!) there is something so special about a community of people pondering these mysteries together.
My favorite tradition is singing and hearing music that facilitates reflection during advent and Easter.
My family and I have tried, failed, and continue to try to observe Sabbath. It’s been very counter-cultural and humbling. Sometimes it is beautiful and joyful ,and sometimes I get caught up in legalism and perfectionism. I know that it is the rest that we deeply need and that it’s out of this rest that we can really do holy work, but it takes a lot of preparation. It has required faith to keep the Sabbath because it would be so much easier in many ways to not practice it all. We are relatively new to observing the Sabbath so my hope is that it will one day be much more natural and easy.
I grew up in a liturgical church and have lived my entire life in the rhythms and celebrations of the church year. Year after year, those celebrations have helped keep my faith anchored in the Story of Jesus. In the last decade particularly, it has been delightful to see growing numbers of people drawn to the beauty and depth of this tradition. One of my favorite days is the Annunciation, when Mary answers the message of the angel: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." The first disciple and her example of faith astonish me every year.
Advent is my absolute favorite. I’m really diving into Lent this year as I want to celebrate it and learn more about it. Any book recommendations would be great. I love Advent because I get to join ancient waiters as we await the Ancient of Days. I always pray that God would allow me to feel myself waiting with them and feel their weight of their belief. It doesn’t take faith to celebrate it but it takes faith to wait as they did.
Just want to say I loved the bracelet story, especially that you sold all the books. I can never hear enough God stories like that.
We also didn’t celebrate the religious holidays. I don’t officially celebrate them now, but I put more thought into the holidays now. Trying to mesh the old me and the new me. Our church has a nativity scene along with a variety of animas. Signs were put up to tell the story of Jesus-birth to death. I love that.