Tag: holiday
Father’s Day Poems
For the most precious things in life— beauty, love, nature’s majesty, romance—everyday language is not enough to express our sentiments.
That is why, for the precious gift of children, fathers have taken to writing poetry. The joy, amusement, wonder, gravity, and weighty sense of responsibility brought into a man’s life by fathering a child can sometimes only be expressed in poetry. Hear the range of feelings of these poet-fathers:
• A Parental Ode to My Son by Thomas Hood
• The Children’s Hour by Henry W. Longfellow
• The Little Chap who Follows Me by John Wooden
The spiritual importance that fathers bear in the home has led others to pen hymns and poems reflecting on a father’s influence and encouraging men to mirror the heavenly Father in their parenting:
• A Christian Home by Barbara Hart
• When Father Reads the Book by G.E. Foster
• When Father Prays (unknown)
• Wanted: A Man to Lead (Wesleyan Methodist)
• A Father’s Prayer (unknown)
One such poem—“My Prayer” by Nauzon W Braphamm—asks the Lord for help in fulfilling a role that is often beyond human effort.
Father, today I bring to Thee
This boy of mine whom Thou hast made.
In everything he looks to me,
In turn, I look to Thee for aid…
Hold Thou my hand as I hold his,
And so guide me that I may guide.
Teach me, Lord, that I may teach,
And keep me free from foolish pride…
Children, too, have reflected on the father-relationship in the other direction, noting and thanking fathers for their influence in their lives. Read these classic poems by acclaimed poets from E.E. Cummings to Sylvia Path. One such poem, Edgar Guest’s Only a Dad begins,
Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice…
If you resonate best with contemporary poems, consider these Father-Child poems and Son/Daughter poems. Still other modern poems are written from the perspective of mothers who have watched the priceless role their husbands play in their children’s lives:
Children Need a Daddy by Becky Ginn
Children need a Daddy for many, many things:
Like holding them high off the ground where the sunlight sings!
Like being the deep music that tells them all is right
When they awaken frantic with the terrors of the night.
Like being the great mountain that rises in their heart
And shows them how they might get home when all else falls apart.
Like giving them the love that is their sea and air,
So diving deep or soaring high they’ll always find him there.
Finally, consider whether short Father’s Day poems or Father’s Day poems for kids may be best for your family. A simple, heartfelt thank you to dad is always appropriate!
It’s a Dad Kind of Thing (unknown)
It’s a dad kind of thing to protect you and see that the world treats you right,
To offer his willing assistance any hour of the day or the night.
It’s a dad kind of thing to stand by you, if one of your bubbles should burst,
To make sure you know you’re important and know that with him you come first.
To give you his all but still wonder if there’s something more he could do -
It’s a dad kind of thing to keep showing that he’ll always be there for you…
Do you know any good poems celebrating our great fathers? If so, please post in comments!
Fathers in the Bible
Fathers have the unique privilege of sharing a title with God himself: our heavenly Father. How special that the Bible speaks of a human father’s love as a window into our heavenly Father’s love. Jesus said in Luke 11:11-13 that if even human fathers know how to love and give good gifts to their children, how much more should we expect an abundance of love from our great Father in heaven!
Fatherhood in Scripture
It is a privilege to be able to illustrate the qualities of God himself, yet it is also a weighty calling. Throughout Scripture fatherhood is spoken of as having tremendous impact, for good and for ill. As fathers shape the character of their children, they are in many ways shaping the future—the outlook for multiple generations (Ex 34:6-7). Fathers can pass on to their children a strong legacy of faithfulness, or they can leave their children spiritually deprived, without a heritage of the values that matter most.
The Bible contains examples of fathers who left both positive and negative legacies for their children. Unfortunately, though King David was in many ways a “man after God’s own heart,” (Acts 13:22), his family life and parenting left much to be desired. His lack of faithful fathering set in motion a negative legacy for his children and descendants. For instance, his marital unfaithfulness—not only in adultery with Bathsheba, but also in taking multiple wives and concubines—impacted his children. It brought death to one son (2 Sam. 12:14) and led to familial tension and discord. When Solomon followed his father’s pattern of acquiring wives and concubines, it ultimately led both him and the nation away from the Lord (1 Kings 11:2-4).
Scripture also shows that David failed to lead and discipline his children, leading to several cases of rebellion and tragedy. One son raped his daughter and, seeing that David did nothing, another son murdered the rapist. And two of David’s sons—Absalom and Adonijah—rebelled flagrantly against him, with David again largely failing to act. Yet God was gracious, even through David’s failure, to bring about a long-term descendant who was faithful: Jesus himself.
Fathers Throughout History
There are many more encouraging examples of fatherhood offered in Scripture and in history. Consider these American fathers who left strong legacies for their children, through the way they modeled and trained their children:
• Cotton Mather, the 17th century Puritan preacher in New England, began his Father’s Resolutions with the commitment: “At the birth of my children, I will resolve to do all I can that they may be the Lord’s.” Mather was himself the son of a pastor and several of his descendants also became prominent Puritan ministers.
• The 18th century theologian Jonathan Edwards, together with his wife Sarah, raised their children in a way that left behind a powerful legacy. Researchers are astonished at the disproportionate influence his descendants have had in education, Christian ministry and public service. His descendants include fourteen college presidents, one U.S. vice-president, 200 Christian ministers, and a large number of doctors, senators and judges.
• Martin Luther King, Sr. (b. 1899) was a major influence in the life of his son, Martin Luther King, Jr. As a pastor and Civil Rights leader himself, King Sr. was hugely influential in the development of his son’s conscience, ideals, and own desire to follow in ministry and Civil Rights. MLK Jr. would not have been the same person without his father’s example and training.
• Nate Saint (b.1923), the missionary pilot in Ecuador, left a powerful legacy to his son Steve Saint, in his willingness to give his life for the sake of the gospel. Though Nate was martyred by the Waodani people while he was still a young dad, his son Steve decided to take up his father’s work and continue to preach to the Waodani and to others, worldwide. He has helped share the story of his dad and the other martyrs through documentaries and films like Beyond the Gates of Splendor and End of the Spear.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_mather
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Sr.
Father’s Day History
The idea of honoring fathers is an ancient one. The Hebrew Old Testament contains the command, “Honor your father… so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 5:16) The idea that respecting parents will bring children blessing and well-being is common among many cultures.
Father’s Day in the U.S.
The modern holiday of Father’s Day had its origins in 1910, when the governor of Washington state proclaimed a celebration for “Father’s Day.” Celebration of the holiday spread slowly around the U.S. so that by 1916, President Wilson honored it. During the Great Depression, retailers worked harder to promote Father’s Day (and its sales). But it took until the end of World War II before Father’s Day was a nation-wide institution. The idea of celebrating fathers became more important in this war-time environment, due to families feeling the absence of their husbands and fathers. Nevertheless, Father’s Day was only declared to be a federal holiday in 1972, under President Nixon. With its more recent history, Father’s Day has yet quite equaled Mother’s Day in terms of sales and cultural emphasis, but it is an important holiday in its own right.
Currently in the U.S., the White House has had a special campaign promoting fatherhood. Fatherhood.gov says that fatherlessness is a growing crisis in America, and that children without involved dads are “more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, be involved in the criminal justice system, and become young parents themselves.” The White House is seeking to promote fatherhood as a building block for strong children, families and communities. And at the same time, research suggests that fatherhood is beneficial for men themselves. Studies show that simply becoming a father who chooses to be present in his child’s life helps men become better men. An involved father tends to engage in less risky behaviors, have better long-term health, and is “less self-centered, more giving and more outward focused” than a non-father.
Father’s Day Worldwide
How is Father’s Day celebrated outside the U.S.? In some Catholic countries, it is celebrated on the Feast of St. Joseph or is also used as a time to honor the parish priest (their “spiritual father”). Russia, Germany and some other European countries celebrate “Men’s Day” in place of Father’s Day. In Germany, for instance, the Men’s Day festivities probably originated in agricultural customs. It is traditional for men to do a hiking tour with a wagon of food and beer beside them.
In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on the birthday of the current king, so that Father’s Day also promotes the royal family. Thais traditionally give their father a Canna flower, which is considered masculine. In Nepal, even deceased fathers are included in the Father’s Day tradition. The modern Father’s Day holiday is often combined with the ancient celebration Gokarna Aunsi, which is celebrated in late August or early September, depending on the lunar calendar. On this day, sons and daughters give gifts to their father and perform ceremonies of respect, while also going to the temple to honor deceased fathers.
Sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/fathers-day
http://fatherhood.about.com/b/2013/04/06/fatherhood-changes-men-mostly-for-the-better.htmy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father’s_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gokarna_Aunsi
Mother’s Day Coloring Page
This week, the What’s In The Bible? crew wants to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! Download the Mother’s Day coloring page featuring our favorite little movie-lover, Michael!
Click Here to Download Now: Mother’s Day Coloring Page
Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday
What is Easter Sunday?
The most important event of the Church Calendar is Easter Sunday. On this day Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Not only has Christ paid for our sins on the cross, but He has triumphed over death! Jesus’ resurrection seals our hope for eternal life with God. “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
The Resurrection gives us hope, that although there is still sin and death in the world, we will be resurrected like Christ and have eternal life with God. This hope is expressed through the following words: “‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” Sin and death still exist, but they have lost their power because of Christ’s resurrection.
Celebrating Easter Sunday
Christians celebrate Easter Sunday in numerous ways. Many celebrations begin at sunrise, ushering in a service of light that represents the hope of Christ’s resurrection. Some churches use this day to baptize or renew the baptism of their congregants. Many Christians celebrate communion, giving thanks to Jesus for giving the sacrifice of His body. Most all services emphasize light and rejoicing, which stands in stark contrast to the previous dark and solemn days leading up to Easter. Some churches refrain from saying “Alleluia” during the season of Lent, and so on Easter they can finally exclaim, “Alleluia. Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia.”
Easter services may revisit stories of Scripture that show the many ways that God has been pursuing His people across time. This is a reminder that Christ has fulfilled the laws of the Old Testament by establishing his New Covenant through the Resurrection. The Passover lambs of the Old Testament only spared firstborn sons from death on one night. Christ the Passover Lamb saves us from sin and death for eternity! “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56).
As your family reaches the great celebration of Easter, talk about the meaning behind different images or stories you may encounter during your Easter Service. The empty tomb celebrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death, which we share in through Him! The church filled with light and music reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world because of the promise He brings through His Resurrection. The image of the lamb signifies that Jesus is the Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice paid for our sins and secured eternal life with Him.
The True Meaning of Easter: The Resurrection
Easter can be a confusing holiday – stores are filled with chocolate eggs and stuffed bunnies, while churches teach about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Are the two connected? Not really. But even within the Christian celebration of Easter, there can be confusion, especially when explaining Easter to children. Different Christian traditions emphasize different parts of Holy Week – there are Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday services. How do all of those events come together to tell one story – the Holy Week? And even more, how do all of the stories of the Old Testament lead us to the Cross on Good Friday?
Let Phil Vischer, Buck Denver and Friends explain the real meaning of Easter in a video that kids will love and understand.
To fully grasp the meaning of Easter, it is helpful to know the meaning and origin of the events leading up to the Resurrection–Holy Week. Try reading our blog series all about Holy Week: “Holy Week History.” Learn the answers to the questions:
What is Palm Sunday?
If you want to see more, pick up What’s in the Bible? Volume 10 today to learn – and feel – the story of Jesus.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Friends Who Celebrate Different Holidays
Welcome to What’s in the Bible?’s 6-week blog series to help you and your family through the “Tricky Bits” of this holiday season – everything from connecting our modern traditions to their sacred roots to helping you navigate holiday budgets and meal planning! Join our team of writers plus some very special guest bloggers for a Christmas blog series unlike any other.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Friends Who Celebrate Different Holidays
This weekend we are hosting a Christmas party with several friends and are planning on having a multi-cultural celebration of Jesus’ birth. Since so many of us come from different ethnic backgrounds, we have Christmas traditions that we’d like to share with each other. A lot of tradition is found around the food we make at the holidays, and so our dinner table will definitely be a plethora of diverse flavors that will take our senses on a mini-trip around the world!
Teaching our kids cultural diversity is important, especially living in the United States, where there are so many different cultures represented all around us! There’s no better time to experience this diversity than during our Christmastime. But what about cultures that don’t celebrate the same holidays we do? Should we expose our kids to these holidays and the traditions of those who don’t share our faith?
For me, the answer is a resounding, “yes”. Standing firmly on my faith in Jesus Christ and the absolute truth found in God’s Word, I still want my children to grow in understanding, respect and a Jesus-love towards people of the world who may not know Christ, yet. I say “yet” because how can any of us minister to those we don’t know, understand or love?
If you’re looking for a nice book that briefly explains many of the world’s winter celebrations, Lights of Winter, by Heather Conrad, does a good job explaining the many holidays celebrated around the world. She gives a brief history of these celebrations and the cultures of the people celebrating them. This book is not necessarily written from a Christian perspective, but she tackles the cultural diversities with respect, without asserting her own personal perspective.
I’m a Christian, why is learning about these other holidays important? Why should I even care?
I firmly believe that the concept of hate is taught, just as tolerance and respect is taught. Tolerance doesn’t mean, “I accept what you do is correct”, it means that I approach each person and their traditions as having value. It’s a vital thing to teach our children. Man has value not because of WHAT he believes, but because of WHO created him. It’s really the first step in emulating Jesus, the Light of the World.
How would you answer your own child, when he/she asks about why people around the world…or around the corner celebrate different holidays?
Lisa Strnad is a contributing writer/blogger to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN. Follow her personal blog posts on www.talkinglikeagirl.blogspot.com
What is Hanukkah?
Welcome to What’s in the Bible?’s 6-week blog series to help you and your family through the “Tricky Bits” of this holiday season – everything from connecting our modern traditions to their sacred roots to helping you navigate holiday budgets and meal planning! Join our team of writers plus some very special guest bloggers for a Christmas blog series unlike any other.
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is a very important celebration for our Jewish friends! It marks the 8 days of the traditional “Feast of Dedication,” which celebrates the rededication of the temple by the Maccabees during the intestamental period of the Bible. The Maccabees defeated the army of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and needed to cleanse the temple, but they only had enough oil in their lamps for one evening. Miraculously, the oil lasted for 8 days! Today, Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah by lighting the 8 candles of a menorah.
You can learn more about the history of Hanukkah here, and watch this fun video from Sunday School Lady too! (Video from Buck Denver Asks … Why Do We Call It Christmas?)
Homeschooling During the Holiday Season
Welcome to What’s in the Bible?’s 6-week blog series to help you and your family through the “Tricky Bits” of this holiday season – everything from connecting our modern traditions to their sacred roots to helping you navigate holiday budgets and meal planning! Join our team of writers plus some very special guest bloggers for a Christmas blog series unlike any other.
Today’s guest post is from Carisa who blogs at 1plus1plus1equals1.net.
Homeschooling in December certainly has some challenges but also some beautiful bonuses. When my kids were younger, we took the month of December almost entirely off of official school and had Christmas school all month long. I even went as far as creating 10 days of Christmas Activities lesson plans for us! At the time, my kids were 8, 4, and 1.
Now that my kids are a bit older {5th grade, 1st grade, and preschool}, I have to keep up with their core curriculum, but can build in fun Christmas activities too. This year I am pulling tons of activities from many places, all of which are pinned to my Christmas Pinterest board, to help my kids focus on the birth of Jesus!
The core of our month will revolve around a few daily activities, as well as weekly family times. For our weekly Advent time we will be using Everyday Emmanuel! Each of my kids also have Christmas Fun Activity Notebooks, which have fun activities based on their ability levels!
Sometimes I struggle with all of these grand holiday schooling plans though. My own attitude takes over and I set unrealistic expectations on my children at times. When they don’t show great enthusiasm for a craft I worked so hard to prepare, sometimes I let my sinful attitude take over. Two years ago I vowed to change this, here is a quote from that post…
Even if I have a few flops, I need to remember that they will remember my attitude more than any activity we may do. Lord help me remain graceful, peaceful, and joyful.
Praying that prayer for myself, and also for any of you who may struggle as I do! Focusing on having a Christ-like attitude is the best Christmas gift I can possibly give my children this month!
Carisa is a homeschooling mom to 3, an inner city missionary, and a blogger. She shares a behind the scenes look at her homeschool life on 1+1+1=1, you can learn more about her blog and family here.
Tricky Bits: What are the 12 Days of Christmas?
Welcome to What’s in the Bible?’s 6-week blog series to help you and your family through the “Tricky Bits” of this holiday season – everything from connecting our modern traditions to their sacred roots to helping you navigate holiday budgets and meal planning! Join our team of writers plus some very special guest bloggers for a Christmas blog series unlike any other.
What are the 12 Days of Christmas?
Contrary to that beloved old Christmas song, the 12 Days of Christmas are not truly about the gifts of lords-a-leaping, ladies dancing, and pipers piping. Actually, the 12 days of Christmas refer to the 12 days between December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 6 (Epiphany). In some churches, the December holiday season is marked by two distinct celebrations: 1) Advent, which marks the 4 weeks before Christmas by anticipating the coming Christ; and 2) Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s birth which lasts 12 days until Epiphany, the day the wisemen visited the Christ child. In 567 AD, the Council of Tours declared the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany to be a sacred festival.
Now what about the popular song? Well, the tradition of a song or poem for the 12 days of Christmas is likely French or Gallic in tradition, but the first printed version of the lyrics was found in a children’s book printed in London around 1780.
Learn more about the 12 Days of Christmas from Clive and Ian in this video:
Tricky Bits: How to Celebrate Advent
Welcome to What’s in the Bible?’s 6-week blog series to help you and your family through the “Tricky Bits” of this holiday season – everything from connecting our modern traditions to their sacred roots to helping you navigate holiday budgets and meal planning! Join our team of writers plus some very special guest bloggers for a Christmas blog series unlike any other.
How To Celebrate Advent
How are you preparing yourself for Christmas? Besides dragging all the ornaments out of the attic, choosing the Christmas tree at the neighborhood lot, and buying presents for family and friends, how else do you prepare for Christmas?
Advent is a season where we spiritually prepare for the coming of the Savior, both in remembrance of His birth and also by looking forward to His second coming! This season is one of prayer, fasting and repentance, which is also filled with anticipation, joy and hope!
Advent begins this Sunday. It is celebrated throughout the month prior to Christmas, starting with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and ending on Christmas Eve.
Many evangelicals don’t celebrate Advent because of its roots in Catholicism, but my personal belief is that if something aides us in keeping our focus on Jesus, it’s also something that we can partake in without hesitation!
Like in most liturgical practices of the early church, there are symbols of Advent that have carried over into today. The Advent wreath is probably the most well known symbol. The wreath itself is made of evergreens, which symbolize “continuous life in Christ”. There are three main colors that are used in many churches to represent the Advent season; pink, purple and white. When you see candles used in Advent wreaths, representing each Sunday of the season, most of the time you’ll see three purple candles, one pink candle and one white candle. Every Sunday and on Christmas Eve, one candle is lit and prayers / devotions are said around the wreath by the whole family (or congregation). Each week represents a spiritual element of this time of preparation.
There are many good Advent devotionals found online and at Christian bookstores, and this year What’s in the Bible? has created a lovely family devotional, Everyday Emmanuel, which can easily be downloaded and utilized by even the youngest family members!
1st week of Advent (purple candle) represents HOPE. Romans 15:12-13
2nd week of Advent (purple candle) represents PREPARATION. Luke 3: 4-6
3rd week of Advent (pink candle) represents JOY. Luke 2: 7-15
4th week of Advent (purple candle) represents LOVE. John 3:16-17
5th candle (Christmas Eve) represents CHRIST…the spotless Lamb of God. John 1:29 and John 3: 1-8.
Do you use an Advent wreath in your home as part of your Christmas preparation? Maybe you have other traditions of your own weekly celebrations that you can add! We’d love to hear about them!
Lisa Strnad is a contributing writer/blogger to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN. Follow her personal blog posts on www.talkinglikeagirl.blogspot.com.
