Holy Days

So, right now I'm immersed in study of the biblical holidays.  They are so different from American holidays.  Do you know why?  Here's the main reason:

Our "holidays" are me-centered, or children-centered, and the biblical holidays, which are still celebrated today in Jewish culture, are God-centered.

Think about it:
birthdays: while not an actual holiday, birthdays get a lot of attention in our culture, and obviously, the recipient is the focus

Valentine's day: children-centered (or candy-centered)

Christmas: well, we like to think, as Christians, that it is Jesus-centered, but it really turns out to be me-centered or children-centered (candy-centered)

Easter: see Christmas - children-centered (candy-centered)

July 4th and Presidents Day - here, we celebrate our founding fathers, our country's freedom, our leaders.

So, like I said, God, although He may be a part of some of these, is not really the center, not in our culture.

What a blessing we're missing out on, what understanding we're forfeiting, when we're content to let these biblical celebrations be bygones.  The Old Testament way.  Discarded and forgotten.  Like taking a fill-in-the-blank quiz, answering all the questions with `Jesus' and erasing the rest of the statement.  `Jesus' is The Great Answer, but if you know the rest of the statement, what richness colors your faith!