I was just perusing our family's wall calendar trying to get my ducks in a row before we take a very happy long weekend next week to celebrate the 15th anniversary of my wife's 21st birthday. I noticed that this Saturday, October 17th, is known as The Sweetest Day. I could not recall having heard of this day before, so I decided to consult the bastion of knowledge that is Wikipedia for my burning question, "What in the world is the Sweetest Day?"
The Wikipedia article says: "Sweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast United States on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show love to the male in your life. It is described by Retail Confectioners International as an "occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed." Sweetest Day has also been referred to as a "concocted promotion.” created by the candy industry solely to increase sales of candy." (click here for more)
Even though I was not aware of Sweetest Day, it makes me a little sad that a day started out to help the less fortunate has turned into an occasion to sell candy and greeting cards. I am going to find a way with my family this Saturday to return to the original meaning of Sweetest Day. I want to encourage you to do so, too. For after all this is how God wants us to live our lives -- in concern and service for the world.
Jesus said in Matthew 25.34-40, "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
May Christ's words help us think about what is truly sweet in this world -- to show others how much they mean to you and God. Have a great Sweetest Day and may it be the sweetest day ever in concern and love for the world.
The Wikipedia article says: "Sweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast United States on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show love to the male in your life. It is described by Retail Confectioners International as an "occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed." Sweetest Day has also been referred to as a "concocted promotion.” created by the candy industry solely to increase sales of candy." (click here for more)
Even though I was not aware of Sweetest Day, it makes me a little sad that a day started out to help the less fortunate has turned into an occasion to sell candy and greeting cards. I am going to find a way with my family this Saturday to return to the original meaning of Sweetest Day. I want to encourage you to do so, too. For after all this is how God wants us to live our lives -- in concern and service for the world.
Jesus said in Matthew 25.34-40, "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
May Christ's words help us think about what is truly sweet in this world -- to show others how much they mean to you and God. Have a great Sweetest Day and may it be the sweetest day ever in concern and love for the world.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(Psalm 119.103)
1 comment:
All I have to say is "Sweet".
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