Reasons to Celebrate

February 27th is when the Anglican Church remembers the beloved metaphysical poet George Herbert. I first encountered his poetry in high school literature at LCA. I know some of you took the same class, and probably used the same lit book I did. His poem The Pulley has reverberated through the years of my life: When God at first made man, Having a glass of blessings standing by, "Let us," said he, "pour on him all we can; Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span." So strength first made a way; Then beauty flow'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure; When almost all was out, God made a stay, Perceiving that alone of all his treasure, Rest in the bottom lay. "For if I should," said he, "Bestow this jewel also on my creature, He would adore my gifts instead of me, And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature: So both should losers be. "Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlessness; Let him be rich and we...

Confession Day is Wednesday, February 19th this year. It primarily refers to confessing your love for someone and appears to be linked to the other romantic-themed days celebrated in February.  Of course there's Valentine's Day on the 14th, Propose Day on the 8th, culminating with Break Up Day on the 21st (not to mention Hug, Kiss, and Slap Day on the 12th, 13th, and 15th respectively). I'm choosing to celebrate Confess Day because of some new insight I've gained this year about confession.  In his book Living Fearless , Jamie Winship explains that confession is not saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Confession is when we tell the truth about what we think about God, ourselves, or others. When we come to God honestly with our fears, our doubts, and our anger he can begin the process that leads to our transformation.  Once we've had the courage to tell the truth about ourselves, the key questions to ask God are, "What do you want me...

Tu BiShvat is on Thursday, February 13th this year. It is the Jewish celebration of the birthday of trees. The name Tu Bishvat signifies the 15th of the month of Shevat and the beginning of tree planting season in Israel. In Leviticus 19:23 the Israelites were instructed not to eat any fruit of a newly planted tree for three years. To keep track of the age of a tree, they marked the New Year of the trees or the collective birthday of all fruit-bearing trees. Over the centuries this developed into a ritual seder meal where different tree fruits are consumed. In Israel today, Jewish families celebrate by planting trees.   I was intrigued by this holiday because of my own tree-planting history. About 8 years ago, after months of careful planning, my family helped me plant 33 trees in our yard. A dozen of these trees made up my backyard orchard. I've enjoyed learning how to prune, spray, and care for fruit trees. Over the years my little orchard has fed several groundhog families. On o...

Happy Groundhog Day! What do the ancient Romans, medieval Germans, the liturgical calendar, and Paxetaney Phil have in common? February 2nd!  The Romans noted February 2nd as the midway point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox- halfway through the 90 days of winter. They held that if February 2nd was sunny with clear skies, cold weather would persist. The Germans integrated that idea with observing hibernating animals, bears and hedgehogs, in fact. So if the hibernating animal came out and found it clear and sunny, they would see their shadow and go back to hibernating.  German immigrants to Pennsylvania found a substitute for a hedgehog in our groundhogs. So concludes the chain from the Romans to the Germans to Paxetaney Phil on Groundhog Day. On the liturgical calendar, February 2nd was the celebration of Candlemas. It marked 40 days from the celebration of the birth of Christ. Linking this to the 40 days for purification required after giving birth, Mary wou...