Holidays – Page 4 – I and Thou Reflections

The Miraculous Transformation from Saturnalia to Christmas

Prepare Ye The Way

Let’s continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Shall we?

Our journey will take us to Christmas, where we will find hope and redemption to renew our faith, whatever that faith may be.

In the previous post, we knawed on the prophetic words that predicted Jesus’ birth.

Today, we will reveal…

How Christmas Really Began

The Roots of Christmas

Remember that Christianity didn’t really spread until the 300-400s when Constantine declared Christianity as Rome’s religion. Before that time, there were other religions involving many gods and goddesses.

The Roman Catholic Church is believed to have chosen December 25 to celebrate Christ’s birth due to its ties with the winter solstice and the festival of Saturnalia, a time of feasting and gift-giving. Adapting these existing celebrations facilitated the transition to Christianity.

*https://www.sott.net/article/309632-Io-Saturnalia-The-Roman-roots-of-Christmas*

Ever wonder why December 25th is Christmas?

The winter solstice symbolized the sun’s “rebirth,” which aligns directly with the theme of Jesus, the “Light of the World.” Doesn’t it?

This strategy helped convert pagans by integrating already established traditions into Christian practices. Pretty straightforward.

Does It Really Matter?

Ultimately, the significance of Jesus’ birth is to celebrate the Son of God taking on human form. This miraculous event is one of the cornerstones of Christianity. And giving gifts honors the age-old story of the wise men bringing gifts to baby Jesus. So, does it really matter that it is December 25?

No, it doesn’t matter at all. What matters is that a Savior was born, and He is Christ the King.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, remember we are on a transformative journey from darkness into light, from prophecy to fulfillment.

In our next post, we will dig deeper into the gifts the wise men presented to baby Jesus.

#Jesus #Isaiah #Prophecy #Hope&Redemption #12DaysofIsaiah #Christmas #Comfort #ComfortOneAnother #IandThouReflections

The Dark Side of Halloween: A Journey from Innocence to Faith – Part 2

In Part 1, we discovered that Halloween is a fun, family activity full of delight and sweets. Today, we will continue our post with the transitions from the innocence of youth to the darkness of teenagers and beyond.

The Transition from Innocence into the Dark Abyss

Teenagers are another breed. They dress in dark, scary costumes and carry pillowcases clustered in bunches as they “trick-or-treat.” Sometimes downright frightful.

The once light-hearted fun transitions to a darker tone of fear. As often depicted in horror movies, haunted houses, and scary costumes.

This shift causes us to pause and ask:

What is Halloween?

The origins of Halloween are rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It marked a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was thin. Like a veil.

This festival involved lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off roaming spirits. Hence, it evolved into the more commercialized secular day we call Halloween. Its supernatural roots still linger with a sense of dark, demonic elements.

Darkness Can’t Exist without Light

Halloween can veer into the demonic easily. Yet, it also allows us to reflect on the light. For darkness cannot exist without light. It can be a time to reflect on deeper spiritual truths and the enduring light of faith. For those who feel uneasy about Halloween, you are not alone. Faith and spirituality offer a power counterbalance.

Agree?

The Light & Love of God

When we emphasize the light and love of God, our positive values can be transformative. We can love our community and be the hands and feet of Jesus by shining God’s light on others. Churches and faith-based organizations can host “Harvest Festivals” or “Trunk-or-Treat” events. We can offer safe and wholesome alternatives if we want to change the world. With a bit of motivation and planning, it can be done!

We have a choice.

We can gravitate toward the negative. Or we can gravitate toward the positive.

Our children need to be aware of the dark side of Halloween. They need to be cautious about climbing too far into it. As we try to instill good values in our children, we need to be able to distinguish good from evil. Highlighting goodness over evil is a great place to start.

God’s love and light are for all who seek faith.

Our trust in God overcomes darkness and death.

Thus, Halloween can serve as a metaphorical reminder of this eternal truth.

#Halloween #Love #Light #Faith #FamilyFun

The Dark Side of Halloween: A Journey from Innocence to Faith – Part 1

Cobwebs, Witches, Pumpkins, Oh My!

Cobwebs, witches, pumpkins, and tombstones seem to pop up everywhere in October.

Do you see them?

From storefronts and public squares to front lawns all across the country. There is no doubt that Halloween generates considerable sales for retailers.

Children can hardly wait to pick out their costumes as summer fades and fall approaches. It’s become a rite of passage, starting with the Halloween Parade that begins in pre-school. Which, of course, continues in grammar school. And typically ends in middle school.

Pretty as a Pirate

For parents of pre-schoolers, it is a joyous time. Families choose together what their little ones will be for Halloween. More often than not, these young children choose happy and pretty types of costumes.

Would you agree?

Young children pick superheroes, cute animals, or princesses. Which adds a flair of innocence to the holiday.

Then come the parties.

School parties, town parties, and neighbor parties. All preceding the ‘trick-or-treat’ tradition. Where children go from door to door ringing doorbells in the neighborhood. Having fun as they fill their bags with sweets. Children clad in costumes. Parents prompt and prod along the way. They roam the streets with their pumpkin-shaped baskets as parents linger behind.

In Part 2 we will explore the origins of Halloween and the transition from innocent into the dark abyss.

#Halloween #Innocence #Love #Light #Faith #FamilyFun

Let’s Join Australia in Celebrating Harmony Week

Unity

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world. Each year, it celebrates its diversity by acknowledging the integration of migrants into its community. It supports the value of unity.

Belonging

What I love about this event is that it draws attention to how important the sense of belonging is to all of us. How do we as a society foster belonging? Let’s start with empathy and compassion. Then, we can throw in honor and respect for good measure. We must work on ourselves first to move forward as individuals, families, communities, and nations. Mindfulness, reading self-help resources, and engaging with others can help us become comfortable in our skin. Build up tolerance. Learn the tools to communicate effectively. Practice acceptance. Once you have done the introspective work, lean into your strengths and identify your weak spots. Know what they are. So you can work on becoming a safe person. A person who receives others without judgment.

Building Bridges

Building a sense of belonging requires effort and, thus, action. Belonging doesn’t just happen. Yet, you can make it happen by being the honey bears want. Draw people toward yourself, don’t push them away. Focus on others and practice active listening. Try new things. Do something different. Get out of your comfort zone.

Concentrate on what you have in common with others. Not what you might differ on. Build bridges with an attitude of acceptance. Validate yourself and validate others.

Respect

You, my friend, are a child of the Almighty God. Yes, you are. Shouldn’t you respect yourself and others if God created and respects you? We can choose to be optimistic and forgiving or miserable and bitter. Remember, if you want to have a sense of belonging, you need to accept others so they feel like they belong. In so doing, we build communities where diversity is valued and differences are embraced.

#HarmonyWeek #Unity #Belonging

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 5

Fun Facts About Strawberries

Image Credit: Strawberry Farmer Market
Free Photo Image rawpixel dot com

Taken from: The University of Missouri, Integrated Pest Management Article on Strawberry: A Brief History.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the annual per capita consumption of fresh and frozen strawberries is 4.85 pounds.

Over 53 percent of seven to nine-year-olds picked strawberries as their favorite fruit.

Strawberries are low in fat but high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and potassium. One cup of strawberries contains only 55 calories.

Strawberries are grown in every state in the United States and every province of Canada.

California produces an amazing one billion pounds of strawberries each year. If all the strawberries produced in California were laid berry to berry in one year, they would circle the Earth 15 times.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the world’s largest strawberry shortcake was 827 square feet and weighed 6,000 pounds. It was made in 1999 in Plant City, Florida.

The series on strawberries concludes today. I learned alot about this tiny red fruit/plant! I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on the subject. Comment below or go to iandthoureflections.com on Facebook.

SURE HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY VALENTINE’S WEEK!

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 4

The Sacredness of the Strawberry

The Goddess of Love

Vibrantly red in color with the sweetness of sugar, strawberries have been around for centuries. Ancient Romans believed the fruit to be a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love. This led to rituals associating strawberries with love and fertility.

The Heart Chakra

A sacred fruit to some, symbolizes the heart, as in the heart chakra, the energy center of love and compassion. It represents purity, abundance, and the sweetness of life. Indulging in strawberries can be a mindful practice that invites us to savor each bite as we thank God for the blessings in our lives.

Sensuality

*Image Credit: gypsygirlgourmet.blogspot.com*

Chocolate-dipped strawberries add a hint of passion and sensuality to its characteristics. Often thought of as an aphrodisiac, chocolate stimulates the release of endorphins and “feel good” hormones, which can tingle the senses. This Valentine’s treat symbolizes desire and indulgence and is a thoughtful gift for a special person in your life.

Eating together is considered a sacred act in tantric and spiritual traditions. It symbolizes a union. A sharing of nourishment at a physical and spiritual level. Thus, eating strawberries with a loved one can deepen emotional connection.

Fresh and Sassy

Whether strawberries are picked in a garden or bought from the grocery store, they are fresh and sassy. They are versatile, too! They can adorn a beautiful platter of cheese and crackers by slicing them thinly, fanning them, and keeping the stem intact. Dipping them in chocolate and poking them on sticks can resemble a vase of flowers. Dicing them and placing them in a glass bowl, whisper, “Use me as a topping.” For salads, for ice creams, for whatever you can dream.

The next time you reach for a strawberry, pause. Take it in. Allow yourself to fully experience the lusciousness this fruit provides.

The color.

The taste.

The love.

Share God’s Love

May the next strawberry you eat connect your soul profoundly and meaningfully to God, to love, and to others. Go and savor the heart-shaped fruit and experience the simple beauty of nature.

Happy Valentine’s Week!

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 3

The Spiritual Significance of Strawberries

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a day of love and passion. It is a day to declare your love to those you love. For me, Valentine’s Day reminds me of strawberries. Chocolate-covered strawberries, to be exact. There is something extra special about them. Maybe because it is a once-a-year treat.

Love is in the Air

If I had to define what love tastes like, I would choose a strawberry. A ripe strawberry tastes like the very essence of love. First, the smell. The fresh aroma starts to tingle the senses. Then, the bite. The first bite lingers on your tongue. It is a sweet-tart sensation that intermingles in your mouth.

Harmony

In North America, strawberries symbolize reconciliation, harmony, and positive energy. In Europe, they suggest righteousness and spiritual purity. (The Language of Flowers: A Miscellany” by Mandy Kirkby.)

Fruit of the Spirit

In the Bible, strawberries can represent the Fruit of the Spirit. They convey love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). When we see and eat strawberries, we can reflect on the goodness God provides to us. Strawberries urge us to bear spiritual fruit in our lives.

Devotion and Service

Strawberries also remind us of devotion and service to others. These red fruits are wrapped in a heart-shaped package. Each one represents love for ourselves and love for others. It is the force that binds us all together as one.

Strawberries also represent sensuality. The God-given pleasure of life. Think about it.

The Strawberry:

Red

Sweet

Luscious

Shhhhh – I Love You!

So, the next time you bite into a strawberry, pause. Let its flavor linger on your lips, and consider the whispers it carries. Love, devotion, and sensuality are wrapped in the tiny, heart-shaped package.

May the sweetness of strawberries remind you of life’s divine flavors.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 2

Medicinal Properties of the Strawberry

Heal Thyself

Strawberries are an incredible fruit. Their medicinal properties date back to the ancient Romans. According to David Trinklein from The University of Missouri, Integrated Pest Management, the Romans used strawberries to remedy kidney stones and other ailments. Another interesting fact he uncovered was Madame Tallien, related to Napoleon, bathing in twenty-two pounds of fresh strawberry juice. Maybe she knew something we don’t?

In a recent article from the Cleveland Clinic, Registered Dietitian Bailey Flora, MS, RDN, LD, describes the benefits of the naturally dense, low-caloric strawberry.

“Strawberries give you a lot of nutritional value for very few calories,” says Flora. “They’re tasty but naturally low in sugar. That’s a combination that’s hard to beat.”
Bailey Flora, MS, RDN, LD

Nutritional Powerhouse

Ms. Flora teaches us that eight strawberries contain 160% of your daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C. They are also packed with anthocyanin, an antioxidant. The more vibrant the color, the more antioxidant value it has. Fiber, manganese, potassium, and folic acid are also in strawberries and have less sugar than other fruits.

Image Credit: Karen Arnold, PublicDomainPictures.net

In a nutshell, strawberries:

Boost Brain Power

Strengthens Immune System

Protects Heart Health

Reduces Inflammation

Helps Manage Blood Sugar

A Gift of Love

Strawberries are a tiny gift. A gift of love. A gift of nourishment. A gift to the taste buds. If you want a delicious, minimalistic, consumable gift for Valentine’s Day, visit your local farmer’s market or grocery store.

Happy Valentine’s Week!

https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2012/5/Strawberry-A-Brief-History

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-strawberries

#Love #ValentinesDay #Strawberries #Medicinal

Valentine, Oh Valentine – Part 1

The Origin of the Strawberry

Introduction

I love Valentine’s Day!

It is one of my favorite holidays. I don’t get suckered into commercialism; I take time to reflect on love. Past. Present. Future.

So, spending the next few posts exploring the connection between Valentine’s Day, love, and strawberries is fitting. Remember that Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. It doesn’t necessarily involve romantic love. Love is love.

Image Credit: Betsy Cox PublicDomainPictures.net

Is it a Plant or a Fruit?

Valentine’s Day is a perfect time for indulging in fresh strawberries from the farmer’s market. Their sweet aroma fills the air and dazzles the senses, evoking a smile from ear to ear.

Did you know that this tiny, robust red fruit is not just a fruit but also a plant?

Botanically, the “fruit” of the strawberry is not a fruit at all. The fleshy, edible part of the plant is the enlarged receptacle of the flower. The visible “seeds” that dot the surface of the strawberry actually are achenes. An achene is a type of dry fruit borne by some plants in nature where the ripened ovary contains but a single seed.
David Trinklein, University of Missouri, Plant Science & Technology (2012)

Have you ever grown strawberries? Or observed them growing in a garden or field? These vine-like stems sprawl in all directions and lay low; hence, they are the “strewn” in strawberries.

Where Did They Come From?

By the 1300s, the strawberry was in cultivation in Europe when the French began transplanting the wood strawberry (Fragaria vesca) from the wilderness to the garden. At the end of the 1500s, the musky strawberry (Fragaria moschata) was also cultivated in European gardens. Then, in the 1600s, North America’s Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) reached Europe. The spread of this new, relatively hardy species was gradual, and it remained little appreciated until the end of the 1700s and early 1800s when it was popular in England. At that time, English gardeners worked to raise new varieties from seed, and they increased the number of varieties from three to nearly thirty.
Vern Grubinger, Vegetable and Berry Specialist, The University of Vermont

Strawberry is a member of the Rosaceae family, and its official name is Fragaria. Strawberries are native to North America. Native Americans used them in many dishes, and the first colonists shipped them back to Europe as early as 16001.

Versatile Little Treasures

Home gardens are an ideal environment for nurturing strawberries. They only require a little space, and they yield a fair amount.

You may want to purchase extra strawberries this week. Or better yet, share a few chocolate-covered strawberries with a special someone. These timeless treasures make the perfect Valentine’s gift.

Happy Valentine’s Week.

#Valentine #Valentine’sDay #Strawberry #Love

A Christmas Miracle – Part 7

Image Source: clipart-library.com
Found on Pineterest

There are several slightly different accounts of the nativity story in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Jesus’ birth is not included in the Gospels of Mark and John. Each of those books begins with Jesus as an adult.

The Miracle of the Angel

In Matthew, the first Angel appears to Joseph in a dream.

The angel Gabriel visits Mary first to announce her favor and pregnancy in Luke. Then, this same Angel appears to Joseph in a dream.

When Jesus was born, an Angel appeared to shepherds in a field nearby.

At first, they were startled by the bright light.

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
An Angel

The Angel delivered the message of Jesus’s birth.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
An Angel (Luke 2:11-12)

Then, in Luke 2:13-14,

*Image Source: Unknown* https://www.pinterest.com/pin/507358714281820304/

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the Highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Angel announced Jesus’ birth.

The birth of Christ the King!

Today, let’s celebrate the Miracle of Christ on Christmas!

Wishing you all awe and wonder of the holiday season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
& HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

#Christmas #Miracles #Angel #Jesus #Messiah