Tag: holiday

VALENTINES

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Each year on February 14th, many people exchange special cards, candy, gifts. and/or flowers with their very distinct “valentine” (to the tune of $18.9 Billion in 2015).  This time of appreciation, romance, and love we call Valentine’s Day is actually named for a Christian martyr named Valentinus who was killed on February 14th in the third century A.D., but also has origins directly connected to the pagan Roman holiday of Lupercalia.

While little is actually known about Valentinus, there are historical accounts that describe him as a priest, or the Bishop of Terni, who was beheaded near Rome by the emperor Claudius II for helping Christian couples unite in the covenant of marriage as well as escape captivity.  In 1969, the Roman Catholic Church liturgical veneration of him ceased; however his name remains on its list of “officially recognized” saints. 

The medieval English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, who often took liberties with history by placing his poetic characters into fictitious historical contexts and representing them as being genuine or real, may have actually ignited what we know as Valentine’s Day, removing it from a religious celebration to that of a carnal/pagan nature.  No historical record exists of romantic celebrations on Valentine’s Day prior to a poem Chaucer wrote around 1375. In his work “Parliament of Foules,” he links a tradition of courtly love with the celebration of St. Valentine’s religious feast day … an association that never existed until after his poem received widespread attention.  The poem refers to February 14 as the day birds (and humans) come together to find a mate.

Some believe that Valentine’s Day was an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, which was a Roman fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.  For the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants, Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa.

The pagan priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility, and a dog for purification.  They would then cut the goat’s hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in that same day, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for a year with his chosen woman with the proposed result being off-spring and marriage.

Needless to say, at West Oaks Fellowship we are certainly not interested in recognizing or celebrating a pagan holiday.  However, we do strongly uphold the values of a man and woman coming together in the  covenant relationship of marriage for the purposes of companionship, procreation, and the free, loving, selfless exchange of physical intimacy.  In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus said (quoting from Genesis 2):

Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.

As committed believers, we know and understand that true love originates with God (See I John 4:16) and we see His love for humanity   fully demonstrated in Christ’s redeeming sacrifice!

 Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

As a result of experiencing His love, one then gains the unprecedented opportunity and privilege of being humans who can both genuinely love God and expressively love others (See I John 4:19).  Thus, in and through the God-ordained, God-blessed, covenant of marriage, love moves to a deeper level as faithful and responsible Christians pledge to love his/her spouse at all times, as well as in/through every, often unimaginable, circumstance of life.  This is a perfect reflection of God’s love, who certainly hates sin, but continuously loves (as His character and nature) all, at all times (See John 3:126-17)!     

At WOF, we are hosting a special celebration of God’s love and the covenant of marriage this Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14.  You’ll be invited to fully participate as we reflect upon God’s beautiful design for family that He created for us to live/walk in, and consider the power that is unleashed through the covenant of marriage.  More details will be forthcoming, but please make specific plans now to attend.

I’m looking forward to celebrating this unique day with each of you!   — PF

CONSIDERATIONS FOR GIVING THANKS

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

As most believers already know, the first thanksgiving celebration was held in December of 1621.  The first winter had killed 44 of the original 102 colonists and at one point their daily food ration was down to five kernels of corn for each person.  However, history records that an unexpected trading vessel arrived, and the early American settlers were able to swap beaver pelts for corn which provided for their severe need.  The next summer’s abundant crop brought great hope, and Governor William Bradford decreed that December 13, 1621, be set aside as a day of feasting and prayer for the colonists to express their gratitude to the Lord, which continued for three consecutive days.


These settlers openly and willfully gave thanks to God for His provision of:

1. 20 acres of cleared land.

2. Peaceful, non-hostile Indians in the region

3. The freedom they enjoyed allowing them to live openly and worship as Bible believing Christians.

4. Squanto, (A member of the Patuxet tribe, Wampanoag Confederacy. who had previously crossed the Atlantic Ocean six times, traveling with colonists to London and back) who could interpret for the 80+ friendly local Indians (who contributed to the first thanksgiving feast by bringing wild turkeys and venison).

From that time forward, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a day to give thanks to God for His gracious and sufficient provision. US President, Abraham Lincoln, officially set aside the last Thursday of November, in 1863, “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.”  Then In 1941, Congress declared that the fourth Thursday of November should be set aside as “Thanksgiving Day”  and observed as a legal holiday.

As believers, the biblical admonitions related to the ideas of giving thanks far proceed that of our American culture and celebrated holiday.  Almost cover to cover throughout the scriptural text, one finds continued references to the idea of thanksgiving or the giving of thanks. The Israelites sang a song of thanksgiving when they were delivered from Pharaoh’s army after their crossing of the Red Sea (See Exodus 15:1-18) declaring …

The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him. The Lord  is a warrior; the Lord  is His name.

Later, the Mosaic Law set aside three times each year when the Israelites were to assemble and give thanks to the Lord for His provision and grace:

1. Unleavened Bread (also called the Feast of the Passover) — Exodus 12:15-20

2. Harvest or Pentecost —  Leviticus 23:15-21

3. Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering —  Leviticus 23:33-36

The celebrations of both Harvest and Tabernacles took place specifically in relation to God’s provision as related to certain fruit trees and crops. In addition, the book of Psalms is packed full of songs declaring thanksgiving to the Lord God for His grace to the Israelites, as a people/nation, as well as for His outpouring of blessings upon individuals. (See Psalm 36:1, 106:1; 107:1; 118:1)

As Christ’s faithful followers, we must consider these following New Testament scriptures as well, where we are consistently prompted and coached to offer God  thanksgiving:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. — Philippians 4:6

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.– I Timothy 2:1

For God’s greatest gift, that of His Son, which meets our greatest need, the Apostle Paul says, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! — II Corinthians 9:15

Nonetheless, just like the early colonists, we have many choices in life.  There will always be those things that we can find adequate reason, or at least some personal justification to complain about (those early settlers had lost many loved ones).  However, there will also always be much to be grateful/thankful for!  As our society becomes increasingly secular, the actual “giving of thanks to God” during our annual Thanksgiving holiday is being severely neglected and generally overlooked, leaving behind only feasting with family and friends.

 I’m praying for all of us at WOF, that He might grant us much better understanding and a heart filled with genuine gratitude – not just as we approach the holiday season, but that we be found grateful/thankful every day for all of His precious gifts, both spiritual, relational, and material!  According to His Word, He is good and “every good gift comes from Him” (See James 1:17). In addition, for those that know Christ and are called according to His purpose(s), we know that He causes all things … “Everything to work together for good,” even events we would not necessarily consider good (See Romans 8:28-30).

In light of these truths, Lord please help us to become, and find us to be, grateful children who continually, openly, and unashamedly offer an abundance of thanksgiving to You … from Whom all blessings flow!

His & Yours, PF

ADVENT

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Most everyone who has attended West Oaks Fellowship for a while comes to understand that when we approach the holiday season called Christmas (from Christ – mass), our spiritual emphasis shifts (similar to Resurrection Sunday vs Easter or Reformation Day vs Halloween) to a sincere focus on the many blessings of Christ’s first advent (coming), and the concepts of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love that Jesus offers all humanity.  Our concentration, as believers on Advent (Greek – parousia, Latin – adventus) … meaning arrival, a coming, or presence … allows us an opportunity to celebrate and rejoice in the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  John 1:14 declares:

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(also see II Peter 1:16, Philippians 2:5-8)

Hopefully, we will all fully embrace the celebration of Christ’s coming into our world in the same manner as we consider His resurrection, the advent (coming) of God’s Holy Spirit (Pentecost), and His anticipated 2nd Advent (return to earth).  Nevertheless, as a serious student of history, Christianity, and God’s Word, I’m somewhat baffled by some of the silliness, traditions, and ungodly, heathen practices that have creeped into the church (the body of Christ at large) and many believing families’ Christmases. 

While I’m not advocating a cessation from celebrating Jesus Christ’s First Advent (coming), like not decorating your home, etc., etc. as some legalists/religionists would demand, I am asking all true believers to give careful consideration to their celebrations and traditions.  Just because everyone is doing it (as you may tell your teenage son or daughter) or because it feels good, that doesn’t make it right!  Romans 14:5-6a shines some light for us:

One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord.

Then continuing in verse 7-9,

For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

In essence, it’s absolutely essential, that faithful, committed followers of Jesus Christ know exactly why they are celebrating our Lord’s Advent in the manner they do, and should a question arise about one’s holiday practices, have a proper, biblically-qualified, spiritually-based answer that can be clearly articulated.

Now, I know some of you are already saying, “give me a break PF” … because you’re one that “loves” Christmas!  Indeed, I pray you love Christ, and wholeheartedly rejoice in His 1st Advent (coming)!  Nonetheless, as unpopular as it might be, please ask yourself what exactly is it that you love so much? 

Today, one of our fine, young-adult men messaged me a detailed question about believers using Christmas Trees – after his study of scriptures in Jeremiah 10:1-11. The modern-day Christmas tree was not introduced into America by Germans until the 19th century. The annual tradition of erecting a National Christmas Tree was not established until 1923 in Washington, D.C. – some 147 years after the birth of our nation, and 316 years after the first permanent English settlement in America. Ever wonder why?  Certainly, that’s a valid question for every believer to consider. 

Does one bring an idol into their home for any reason?  Well, if I was an archaeologist, and had excavated an ancient relic from a pagan temple in Israel, I would probably have it on display in my office. Unquestionably, I would use it as a tool to explain portions of the scripture and give testimony concerning the authenticity of the Bible.  However, at that point, someone could accuse me of having an idol in my home or office. The accusation would be true, but not be a genuine reflection of my faith or worship.  

While there is little argument about the following points concerning a typical American Christmas celebration on December 25, the key for each and every believer, as well as for each and every family, is simple obedience to Christ and His Word, coupled with the true spirit of any and every action/activity, etc.

  1. No biblical data exists, nor any early known written documentation referencing or establishing Christ’s birth in December or on its 25th day; however, there is insurmountable evidence concerning the dates of His death and the coming of God’s Holy Spirit at Pentecost (an annual Hebrew feast/celebration).
  2. The date of December 25th was a long-standing pagan holiday, “Saturnalia,” …the worldwide celebration of the re-birth of the sun-god (an anti-christ type – thousands of years before Jesus was born under various names – all commemorating variations of a false trinity consisting of a father, mother and child), and was intentionally highjacked by the early Roman church in 350 AD by Pope Julius.
  3. As late as 1855, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists refused to recognize December 25th as a legitimate holiday in reference to Christ’s birth.
  4. Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 Ed., p. 253, tells us that as late as 1913, many States did not even recognize December 25th as a permissible holiday.

Certainly, each and every believer is free to celebrate Advent 2017 in their lives and families with meaningful and worshipful expressions of reflection, gratitude, ceremony, exaltation, and even jubilation! Nonetheless, Colossians 2:16-17 speaks plainly:

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath (plural in the Greek text) day things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Yes, the significant substance of any truly spiritually-centered celebration must be Jesus Christ (not a shadow – but the real thing). Therefore, we are compelled to ask, is our Christmas a spiritual, or cultural event?

The Hebrew people managed to get the practices of their culture and genuine spirituality and those things that were, “a mere shadow of what is to come” awfully confused and extremely complicated.  Perhaps that why the Lord declares in Jeremiah 6:20:

For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.

Have you ever wondered what the Lord thinks of an American Christmas? Perhaps we should humbly, and perhaps solemnly, consider the words Isaiah 43:24:

You have bought Me not sweet cane with money, nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; rather you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities.

  Our Lord rejects, not their ceremonial service, but the substitution of it for personal holiness and morality. In addition, may we never forget Jeremiah 7:23:

But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.

(also please read Isaiah 1:10-17; Micah 6:6-8)

 

I Samuel 15:22 asks:

Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.

 What are our Advent celebrations, customs, traditions, … pagan rituals/practices coated in some form of Jesus-juice to make them seem/feel OK?  (ceremonial, ritualistic, theistic, existentialism) Are they done in/by faith and are they pleasing to our Lord?  I know, I know, too much!  Nonetheless, let’s agree on Colossians 3:17 for this ADVENT:

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Think about it, pray about it, act upon it.                                                              

— His & Yours, PF

HOLIDAY

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

It’s very interesting to note that the word “holiday” – as translated in most English Bibles – only occurs 4 times and is exclusive to one book from the Old Testament.  While the Hebrew culture is/was filled with numerous feasts and celebrations, many of which we would call, holidays, most of them were primarily celebrated with a stout religious focus, generally celebrating the miraculous works of God.      

However, in the book of Esther, 2:18, Persian King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), who “loved Esther more than all the women,” hosted a celebratory banquet when she became the queen.  Esther’s Banquet, as it was called, became a “holiday” for all the provinces, and the king gave gifts according to his vast “bounty.”  Therefore, the idea of a “holiday” – as translated in our English Bibles – is literally birthed from that which was/is a “good day.”

This same word Hebrew word configuration appears 3 more times in the book of Esther, 8:17; 9:19; 9:22.  In each case these are “good days” of great rejoicing and celebration.  The account in 9:22 is intriguing,

Because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

This event ultimately led to “Purim” — a traditional Jewish celebration (not instigated as part of the Mosaic Law) which was established by Mordecai (vs 20-28) and Esther (vs 29-32), and commemorated the Jews’ deliverance from the malice of Haman. This Feast of Purim continues today as a reminder, year after year, that God saved/protected Israel from destruction by the hands of anti-semitic pagans. 

In addition, please also note that their rejoicing/celebrating produced a spirit/attitude of giving and generosity as they were sending food to one another and even providing gifts to the poor.

This was an exceptional occasion in which “sorrow” was transformed into “gladness,” and “mourning” into a fabulous “holiday” (good day)!

Now, there’s nothing spiritually wrong with meaningful traditions, as long as the tradition remains substantially meaningful and has not completely lost its meaning … growing/becoming meaningless!

To be truthful/honest as your Pastor, I’m not so sure about many of our current holidays. Through the years, I’ve diligently attempted to restore value and bring meaning to worthwhile holidays in our nation, as well as Christian traditions that hold legitimate biblical resolve.

However, when tradition and holidays gradually become traditionalism … we get ourselves into real trouble. Theologian Jaroslav Pelikan once boldly declared,

Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.

As you know, Christ’s Church is always one generation short of extinction; and if we don’t pass on to our children and grand-children what God has done in/for us, as well as in those of previous generations, the Church will die of/from apathy and ignorance. There are holidays that give glory to God as long as the people of Christ’s Church remain consistently true to the authentic/real origin and meaning of these celebrations.  

Undoubtedly, to see the hand of God in history and praise Him for His abundant goodness, glorious work, and miraculous mercy, is perhaps the best way for believers to openly and willfully celebrate any “holiday!”

Christmas (Advent) is here (happens every year as far as I can tell). 

What then shall we do with this “Holiday?”

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) — Pastor Frank