On Holidays

At the outset of the holiday season, it seems important to take some time to consider what holidays are. Holidays aren't just a break from the every day grind; that's a vacation. As the name implies, these are holy days, set apart for remembrance and reflection. A 24/7/365 world tends to blur the seasons and anniversaries that give a year shape. The more hurried we all become, the more we risk losing the significance of our connection to prior generations who celebrated these special days of the year not only as markers of time but as opportunities to gather, feast, and give thanks. If we could take the time to reflect and refocus, we may find that life is bigger than our needs and schedules.