Midweek Musing- 1/8/2025

I started back to work this week after the school’s Winter Holiday Break. I’ll be honest: it was super hard getting out of my warm bed and heading out into the cold weather. But as I drove to work, I noticed the stark contrast from the quieter roads of the holiday season. The increased traffic was a clear sign that the holidays were over, and we were back to the daily grind of life.

Gone were the festive lights that brightly lit up homes. The cheery greetings exchanged in Walmart and RaceTrac had vanished. Instead, there was a return to hurried schedules, school drop-offs, and the relentless pace of everyday demands.

It struck me how easy it is to let the joy and awe of the holiday season fade into the background. This thought got me wondering: does it really have to be this way?

The nerd in me started thinking about words, meanings, and origins. The word holiday has its roots in holy day, a term historically reserved for sacred observances set apart for worship, reflection, and connection with God.

Over time, holidays have become more associated with secular celebrations, filled with cultural traditions and cherished gatherings. While we still experience moments of joy and meaning during these times, we often forget the deeper spiritual significance behind many of them. Yet, as followers of Jesus Christ, we have a unique opportunity to practice the belief that every day—not just festive seasons—can be a holy day.

So, what exactly makes a day holy? From a biblical perspective, a day’s holiness is not about its placement on the calendar but how it is set apart for God. In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was established as a holy day (Exodus 20:8–11), a time to rest and remember God’s provision and creation.

In the New Testament, we see an even broader invitation to live in a way that reflects holiness daily. Colossians 3:17 reminds us: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

As followers of Jesus, we affirm that all of life belongs to God—not just Sundays or special seasons. The Heidelberg Catechism beautifully articulates this truth in its opening question: "What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."

This means that every moment of every day has the potential to be infused with holiness as we live in gratitude and obedience to God.

As we return to the daily grind, it’s tempting to leave the spirit of the holidays behind—packing it away with the decorations. The increased traffic this week was a not-so-subtle reminder that life marches on, often without the sparkle and wonder of December. Yet, this transition should also be an invitation to carry the lessons of the holidays into our daily lives.

Take a moment to recall the joy and awe you felt during the holiday season. Perhaps it was a moment of quiet reflection by a glowing fire, the laughter of loved ones gathered around the table, or the beauty of a familiar carol sung in worship. Maybe it was in the words of a prayer or a sermon. (I can hope, can’t I? )

These moments remind us of God’s presence and blessings. The challenge is to cultivate similar moments throughout the year, even amid life’s busyness.

But how do we keep every day holy?It starts with intentionality. Often, we hear these intentional moments described as Spiritual Disciplines. Here are six practices that can help:

Begin the day with Prayer: Start your day with a simple prayer of gratitude, asking God to guide your thoughts, words, and actions. Just a minute or two can set the tone for the day.

Engage with Scripture: Even a few minutes reading and reflecting on God’s Word can provide direction and encouragement. Psalm 119:105 says: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Practice Gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal and take a moment each evening to thank God for specific blessings. Writing this down—even as a note on your phone—shifts attention from what’s lacking to what’s abundant.

Seek Community: Stay connected with fellow believers through worship services or small groups. Encouragement and accountability from others can sustain your spiritual practices.

Find Opportunities to Serve Others: Acts of compassion and service are real-world ways to reflect God’s love. Matthew 25 reminds us: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Meditate: Take time to focus quietly on God’s presence. Meditation calms the mind, centers the heart, and helps us listen for God’s voice. Psalm 46:10 says: "Be still, and know that I am God."

Holy days—and holiness itself—are not about rule-following or perfection. Instead, they’re about living in joyful response to God’s presence and the grace given to us.

When we set aside time to focus on God’s presence and purpose, our routines are transformed. Mundane tasks become opportunities for reflection and worship, and challenges become invitations to trust in God’s promises.

A Lighthearted Reminder Faith and holiness aren’t about having it all together. I learned this firsthand when I tried to create a "daily Sabbath moment" during the 5:30 a.m. feeding for our first child. I planned to pray and reflect before feeding Brittany and heading to work.

On the first day, our cat silently jumped onto my shoulders from the changing table, digging in its claws. Startled, I spilled hot chocolate on my lap and yelled in pain. This woke Brittany, who was scared, mad, and hungry—and also needed a diaper change. It was a chaotic, hot mess. Later, I read something that reminded me: faith isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, imperfections and all, and inviting God into the moment.

I shared the story at lunch, and my colleagues and I had a moment of holy laughter.

The Sacred Rhythm of Life Returning to the daily grind doesn’t mean we have to lose the joy and awe of the holiday season. Instead, it’s an opportunity to create a sacred rhythm in our lives. By setting aside time for prayer, reflection, and spiritual practices, we can make every day a holy day.

When we embrace this mindset, we fulfill the call of Romans 12:1: "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

And as we live this life, we remind ourselves—and others—that in life and death, we belong to God.

And that, my friends, is worth celebrating every single day.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Alleluia Amen.