Over the next fourteen days leading into Valentine’s Day, I invite you to explore what The Bible says about love. Whether you believe The Bible is the Word of God or not, wisdom can be found on each page.
A verse, prayer, and a reflective question will be posted to meditate on.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
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.
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.
When we feel depleted, it’s easier to turn to God. Let’s try to turn to God every day!
Remember that God’s mighty hand leads us through life’s twists and turns and provides us access to the calm, gentle dwelling Spirit within us.
Focusing on the colors and shading helps the brain to disengage from the world. It allows us to invite God to calm our thoughts and engage in quiet reflection. Amid natural disasters, remember to take a break and breathe. Breathe in God’s goodness and exhale the worry and fear.
Twinkling stars in the midnight sky, Whisper secrets from heaven’s gate. Moonlight glistens on blades of grass, Captivating vibrant green lusciousness.
Sturdy as volcanic rock, deep in Earth’s mantle, Billions of years quelling anger, fostering peace. Cascading abundance to believers, Spirit of verdant grace, sprinkle olivine dust.
Melting hearts of iron, Peridot’s spirit lights the path. Transforming souls one by one, Guiding through love’s open door.
Freeing us from this mortal world, The Spirit of the Peridot. Streets made of silver and gold, A place to cherish and adore.
Freedom is one of those words that is hard to describe. Its meaning is unique to each person.
The Cambridge Dictionary describes freedom as:
The condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc., whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited.
Such as: freedom of choice freedom of speech freedom of thought freedom of information freedom from (condition)
For me, freedom is having peace of mind. It is about feeling safe. And you can’t have freedom without respect.
Respect for property. Respect for others. Respect for yourself.
When I think about freedom, it’s not about politics or whether you believe in God. Freedom is the right to live in a society without fear. It also means going home to a place of safety.
So what exactly is freedom for you, and how does it apply to your life?
Imagine a world where kids can be kids. A world where parents love (storge) their children and family members love (philos) each other and feel safe. One where love (eros) does not enter the picture before the brain can mature.
Imagine a world where adults do not inflict their own pains and trauma on their children or younger siblings. Where children can speak openly and honestly without fear of condemnation from their parents, church, or themselves.
Imagine a world where college students can learn and focus on academics without feeling pressure to socialize. Or, if they choose to do so, not to worry about being forced into a situation they can’t get out of.
Feeling helpless is not freedom. Imagine a world where no means no.
Imagine living in a world where spouses speak to one another in kindness. One where respect for one another is essential. It does not stifle. Mutual love encourages freedom.
Freedom to explore. Freedom to experience. Freedom to be yourself.
Imagine a world where your partner builds you up instead of tearing you down.
That is what freedom looks like to me.
But let’s get real.
Life is life. Life is made up of imperfect people. People who have been caught in a vicious cycle. People who hurt each other and make mistakes.
How do we sympathize and try to understand their plight? How do we stand up for ourselves and not harm others? Do others need to pay for the harm they do to us?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What does freedom mean to you?
Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media.
What better month to reflect on the modern wedding ceremony than now?
In parts 1-4, we heard ancient whispers from Juno in our ear about ancient Roman wedding ceremonies. We could almost taste the spelt cake the bride and groom fed each other during the ceremony. Then, we heard the loud shout of the decree announcing Christianity as the Roman Empire’s official religion. Hence, faith shifted from inward to a more personal God.
Today, we contemplate wedding traditions through the lens of Juno.
Image Credit: Hallmark Channel
Do you know a June bride?
It is an amazing time of the year to tie the knot. In New Jersey, June is typically a warm month, but not so hot to work up a sweat. The first wedding I attended in June was a beautiful sunny day with a nice breeze. The second wedding I attended was one of the hottest days in June on record. Beads of sweat dripped down my neck all the way down my spine. It was THAT hot and humid.
The Unity Candle
Modern-day weddings may include a candle-lighting ceremony where there are three candles. One represents the bride, the other represents the groom, and the center candle represents God. The couple lights their candles and then lights the center candle together. This signifies two lives joining as one, with God as the head of the household, much like Juno.
The Timeless Influence of Juno
Over the past few posts, we have seen how contemporary wedding rituals and traditions date back to the ancient Roman Empire and some even further.From June wedding dates to wedding cakes, the modern-day marriage ceremony honors a tradition that dates back millennia. The symbolism of unity, prosperity, and divine blessing continues to be central to wedding ceremonies worldwide.
As we trace the evolution of these traditions from ancient Rome’s pagan practices to the early Christian era and contemporary society, we see a remarkable continuity. The sacredness of marriage, the involvement of close family and friends, and the desire for divine blessing are themes that resonate across time and cultures.
By understanding our wedding customs’ historical and cultural roots, we can appreciate their richness and depth. Juno’s influence on weddings is a testament to the timeless nature of human beliefs and practices, which continue to shape and enrich our lives today.
Tell us your wedding traditions. We’d love to hear them.
A time to connect the dots between Ancient Rome and our modern-day wedding ceremony.
In parts 1-2, we saw how the goddess Juno influenced weddings in Ancient Rome. Part 3 discussed the faith shift from multiple gods to a single triune God.
Here, we will hear the echos of Juno, which are still heard across wedding venues near and far.
Blending of Traditions
Christianity reinterpreted or replaced many of the ancient wedding traditions. Let’s look at a few.
Sanctification of Marriage
The early Christian Church viewed marriage as a sacred covenant. For new Christians, the sacred covenant transitioned from Juno to God. Wedding ceremonies included Christian prayers, blessings, and the presence of clergy.
June Weddings
In Part 1, we learned how the calendar month of June derived from Juno. Hence, it was a favorite month to marry. The Church continued this tradition and endorsed June weddings.
Wedding Attendants
The role of the “pronuba” paved the way for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Wedding attendants were and still are supportive figures for the bride and groom. Just like the ancient pronuba. This tradition is an example of how an ancient tradition was redefined. It morphed into the tradition of involving close friends and family in the ceremony.
An elaborate gold and onyx Roman wedding ring from the 3rd century. (Argyor) Image Source: ancientorigins dot net
Wedding Rings
Wedding rings date back to the Egyptians, 3000 BC. Even then, rings symbolized eternal love and commitment, but not in the way they are today.
The Romans continued the tradition of the wedding ring. But the groom often gave the ring to the bride’s father, as it served as a sign of a bride purchase.
By the second century BC, the bride was given a gold ring to indicate the groom’s trust in her as his property. In ancient Rome, brides were given two rings. One was gold. The other iron. The gold ring was worn for social engagements, and the iron ring was worn at home.
Bridal Veil
The bride’s veil, however, had a deeper, darker meaning. It was designed to ward off evil spirits. Today, the modern-day bride can choose to wear one or none. The veil came to be a covering to prevent the groom from seeing the bride until the exchange of vows.
The Wedding Cake
Over the years, the spelt cake eaten during the wedding ceremony gradually became one of the highlights of the modern-day wedding reception. Namely, the wedding cake. Most brides and grooms feed each other a piece of cake in front of family and friends. Did you know this tradition started in Ancient Rome?
Part 5 will wrap up this series. We will discover more themes linking ancient customs to contemporary weddings.
I and Thou Reflections 