I hope you’re enjoying Thanksgiving with friends and family. It’s one of my favorite holidays—and I’m glad to be one of those people who get Friday off, too.
I’ve observed that most people don’t take Friday off, though. They may not be at work, but they’re so very busy. Some people take the “Black Friday” shopping challenge: How much shopping can you get done in one day? Other people are busy sending out Christmas cards or decorating for the holiday. Still other people use the extra day to catch up on laundry, household projects, car washing or winterizing their homes.
It doesn’t seem like much of an “extra” day off—and that’s too bad!
The word “Holiday” comes to us from Old English and literally means “holy day.” Holidays were intended as additional Sabbath days for rest, reflection and spiritual practice. Many of the holidays we now observe were intended to be reflective of a certain spiritual quality or principle. It was a way of getting closer to God through an intentional day of spirituality or inward contemplation.
By skipping the intention of these holidays, I think we do ourselves a disservice. When a holiday becomes about football or shopping we’re short changing ourselves spiritually. As a minister I sometimes laugh about people who only come to church on Easter and Christmas—but at least they recognize the spiritual nature of a holiday!
So how am I going to spend the extended Thanksgiving holiday?
Thursday will be a family and food day, of course. We’ll be renewing connections with nephews and a niece and extended family that we don’t get to spend enough time with. I’m going to make a point of finding out what’s important to my family—to really hear what’s up for them and tell them how much I love them.
Friday, I’m skipping all the shopping. I plan to spend it with friends and with my partner. I want to concentrate on feeling God’s bounty as it takes the form of these people I love. My everyday life is sometimes taken for granted—but not this Friday.
Saturday, weather permitting, we plan to be outside enjoying more of God’s bounty. We’ll enjoy a lull in all the “doing” and enjoy “being” for a change.
A weekend where I notice, enjoy and celebrate the grace of God.
Happy Thanksgiving Holi-day, everyone!