Whereas the end of each year is usually focused upon Thanksgiving, Christmas, and end-of-year activities, January offers a much-appreciated respite from the demands that often accompany these important celebratory events. While most of us are still accountable to the demands of every-day life as the New Year begins, this season of the year may be employed to establish the tone of the entire year. Casting an eye upon the year that is behind us should deepen the resolve of the true follower of Christ to follow more closely to the Master. If other resolutions are all laid aside, the resolve to more earnestly follow Christ must never be. Employing all the means of grace that God provides, let us venture forth to place our footprints upon the unsullied year before us.JanuaryAs we enter a new month and new year, we remember that before us are a number of opportunities to deepen our appreciation for the ways God has used the lives of other believers in previous generations. As Christians, we should be growing in the grace that God grants to each of us as well as celebrating what He has already done through the lives of others to bequeath to us a glorious Christian heritage.Table of ContentsThe month of January takes its name from Janus, the mythological Roman god of beginnings and transitions. The original Roman calendar consisted of ten months, but around 713 BC, the semi-mythical King Numa Pompilius is alleged to have added the months of January and February which took into consideration the 354 days of the lunar year. Under the old Roman calendar, March was originally the first month of the year but was displaced by January and February under Numa Pompilius or perhaps under Decemvirs about 450 BC—on the era or date of transition, Roman historians differ.January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars and is the first of seven months whose length is thirty-one days. In the Northern Hemisphere, January is the second month of winter and, on average, is the coldest month of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, January is the second month of summer and is equivalent to July in the Northern Hemisphere.The birthstone of January is the garnet (which represents constancy), and the birth flower is the Pink Dianthus. The full moon which occurs in January is known as the "Wolf Moon".The following rhyme is a time-honored attempt to remember the number of days in each month of the year:Thirty days hath SeptemberApril, June, and NovemberAll the rest have thirty-oneExcept for February aloneWhich has twenty-eight days clearAnd twenty-nine in each leap yearIn addition to the highlights of this month that are discussed below, additional subjects of interest regarding our Christian heritage are presented online, where they are arranged according to dates of occurrence—with particular attention being given to the influence Christianity has exercised upon the origin of America. The online calendar where these articles are arranged is under continual development with new articles appearing as they become available. By clicking the message box below, readers will navigate to the present month under consideration. Many of America's Founding Fathers read the Bible through each year. For them, the Bible was a means of direction for their personal lives and the life of the nation. Contrary to the popular notion pushed on American that her Founding Fathers were secular, overwhelmingly they were Christians. A study of the Journals of Congress or minutes of Congress reveals that Founding Fathers endorsed the Christian religion and its practices—though no single denomination was endorsed. In the middle of the nineteenth century, the judiciary committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate defended America's Christian heritage. The House recognized that nearly all American colonies had state sanctioned churches. However, Founding Fathers did not allow for a federal or national church.Few are aware that many of America's Founding Fathers were founders of Bible societies. In fact, Elias Boudinot was a distinguished Founding Father who served as a president of Congress (from Nov. 4, 1782–Nov. 3, 1783), was a member of the American spy network during the Revolution, and held prominent positions in government following the War of Independence. Like many other Founding Fathers, Boudinot promoted Bible societies and served as the first president of the American Bible Society. He was followed in that office by John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.The idea that the people of a nation were the primary foundation of government is known as "republicanism," and Founding Fathers such as Noah Webster understood that the Bible provided the foundation for republicanism:The brief exposition of the constitution of the United States, will unfold to young persons the principles of republican government; and it is the sincere desire of the writer that our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament or the Christian religion.As the new year begins, Christians should give careful consideration to designated personal times of prayer and Bible reading. To assist in these personal disciplines, suggested resources are offered below:On January 10, 1776, Thomas Paine anonymously published his work, Common Sense. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood. Forgoing the philosophical and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, he structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on biblical references to make his case to the people. Paine intended to name the work Plain Truth but his good friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush, suggested Common Sense. The primary intent of this work was to move the American colonies toward national independence from Great Britain.In July and August of 1776, the Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain when the President of the Congress, John Hancock, and the members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. What is universally overlooked by secularists who deny the Christian origin of America is the fact that the members of the Continental Congress established American law upon the "laws of Nature and Nature's God." As Englishmen, they did not establish American law upon the rights of Englishmen granted to them in the Magna Carta or any other document that granted liberty to Englishmen. Rather, when the Continental Congress laid a foundation for American law, it appealed to a foundation that the members of Congress believed was universal, to be enjoyed by all people everywhere: "to Nature and Nature's God"! Thomas Jefferson, being the primary author of the Declaration, followed the clear theological teaching of the day that stressed the revelation of God in nature as well as the revelation of God in Scripture. In establishing American law upon the "laws of Nature and Nature's God," Jefferson was reflecting an important doctrine of historic Christian theology which was advocated by his pastor.Suggested observance: First weeks of January, May, and SeptemberThough a regular prayer life is encouraged within individual believers and their families, and weekly prayer and fasting is encouraged in the church, a periodic seasonal effort may be undertaken to sustain and further develop spiritual vitality. It was the custom of the Church in Early America (and the Continental and Congressional Congresses) to call for days of “public humiliation, fasting and prayer.” To nurture a spirit of dependence upon the Lord, several seasons of prayer and fasting may be established in the calendar year. In the American Church, the first week in January (after the Christmas holidays and the beginning of the year), the first week in May (which may include the last weekend in April and the week of National Day of Prayer), and the last week of August (the beginning of the new Sunday School year) provide good opportunities to call individual believers, the family, and the church to prayer. During these weeks, members of the local church are invited to select at least one day (and more if possible) of the designated week for these spiritual disciplines.Observance: Early in JanuaryAs the new year begins, the Christian home and church may wish to observe two special worship opportunities. If they are observed in the church, perhaps the first two Sunday evenings (or Wednesday evenings) in January may best be used for these opportunities. It is suggested that the Service of Praise (first Sunday evening) be conducted prior to the Service of Reflection (second Sunday evening). If an Advent wreath is used in the home or church during Advent season, the Christ candle may be used in this service one last time. Since the Christ candle is a prominent element in this first worship opportunity, the candle should be selected with care. Not only is the Christ Candle significant to the Advent wreath, but it is also the most significant elements in this service of praise.Observance: Early in JanuaryIt is easy to overlook the many blessings of the preceding year. To stimulate the Israelites to praise and thanksgiving, the Lord interweaved worship elements into the life of His chosen people. Often, significant moments and individuals whom the Lord has used to bless our lives are soon forgotten unless careful attention and deliberate efforts are made to acknowledge them and accord them the proper place of affection they deserve. The previous year has been but one strand in the larger tapestry of life, but the grace that God has manifested in our lives deserves special recognition and just appreciation. The intension of such a gathering in the home or service in the church is not to gloat over personal or collective achievements, but rather to celebrate God’s abundant and abiding grace.Observance: On or before January 22; occasionally following this dateSince the legalization of abortion in America on January 22, 1973, millions of women and men have been deceived concerning the sanctity of human life within the womb. Though the pro-life moment has gained cultural and moral ground since the infamous day that the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion, there is still much that needs done. Though many believers do not worship in churches that have specific ministries toward the unborn, individual Christians and congregations may join efforts with like-minded groups who have dedicated themselves to the elimination of legalized abortion and the consolation of the suffering. The sanctity of human life should be celebrated from the womb to the tomb. Sanctity of Human Life observances may annually be convened on January 22, but observances may often precede or follow this date.Observance: On or before January 24Have you ever seen a car license plate from the state of Connecticut? If you have, do you remember the slogan emblazoned on it? Connecticut is called the "Constitution State," but very few of us know why it has been given this title.The reason Connecticut is called the Constitution State is because of a Christian minister and his belief that the Bible contains all of the principles necessary for happy contented living—including the Christian's involvement in matters of government or politics. The pastor's name was Thomas Hooker. He was born on July 7, 1586 in Marfield, England. Educated within the Puritan tradition at the University of Cambridge, Hooker became a lecturer at Emmanuel College, and after being persecuted for his evangelical Puritan beliefs, decided to settle in New England. There he assumed the pastorate of the church in Newton, Massachusetts (present-day Cambridge). It may be noted that Hooker was acquainted with John Eliot, "Apostle to the American Indian," and John Cotton, "Father of New England Congregationalism."In January of 1639,
Whereas the end of each year is usually focused upon Thanksgiving, Christmas, and end-of-year activities, January offers a much-appreciated respite from the demands that often accompany these importan
Dr. Stephen Flick | December 28, 2024 | Christian Living Articles
Often, the Christmas season is the most meaningful time of year—for both the believer and unbeliever. Many fail to use this season of the year to point to Christ as fully as they might to Christianize the world around them. While some attempt to sanctify the carnal and merely sensuous for Christian purposes, the Apostle Paul warns believers to build with materials that are most precious and most enduring (1 Corinthians 3:10-18). For this reason, Christian leaders should look eagerly upon the Christmas season with the intent to redeem every opportunity presented to them.As Christians anticipate the celebration of the birth of Christ, a couple of important biblical truths should influence the way in which we celebrate. By giving these important doctrines emphasis at this time of year, it is hoped that they will maintain an important place in our thinking throughout the year:The necessity of an atonement for sin—If the advent of sin into the world and its influences are not well understood, the world will not understand the purpose of the Advent of Christ, nor will they understand the need for salvation by a living faith in Christ.The Advent of Jesus—The Virgin Birth, the humanity of Christ, and his deity should be prevalent during the Christmas season.As the calendar year draws to an end, many opportunities for meaningful ministry exist. In America, Christians should make every effort to capitalize on the Christian heritage bequeathed to the nation by our forefathers. Parents, pastors, and local church leaders should not allow important historical and spiritual events to lapse without celebrating them within the church as well as advocating them in the community.ContentsIn addition to the highlights of this month that are discussed below, additional subjects of interest regarding our Christian heritage are presented online, where they are arranged according to dates of occurrence—with particular attention being given to the influence Christianity has exercised upon the origin of America. The online calendar where these articles are arranged is under continual development with new articles appearing as they become available. By clicking the message box below, readers will navigate to the present month under consideration. In the Julian and Gregorian Calendars, December is the twelfth month of the year. The last four months of our year, September, October, November and December, all receive their names from Latin numerical terms. Prior to the introduction of January and February into our calendar system, the old Roman calendar employed a calendar of only ten months. Latin numbers were given to these months: septem, (meaning seven) became September; octem, (eight) became October; novem (nine) became November; decem (ten) became December. When January and February were added to the ten-month calendar to become our twelve-month calendar, these latter four months retained their Latin names, despite their new positions as months nine, ten, eleven, and twelve.In the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological winter begins on December 1, and it is the month with the shortest daylight hours. It is also the equivalent to June in the Southern Hemisphere where December 1 is the beginning of the meteorological summer and where the longest days of the year are experienced.Birthstones for the month of December include turquoise, zircon and tanzanite; the birth flower is the narcissus, a genus of predominantly spring flowering perennials of the amaryllis family, including daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil—which describe all or some members of the genus.Observance: December 4America's Christian heritage has been written in both large, bold, declarative statements as well as faint ornamental affirmations. To the degree that secularists and their supporters are successful in concealing the truth, to that degree America will walk in the darkness brought upon it and every nation where irreligion has ascended to tyrannical dominance. One of the many ways that America's Founding Fathers declared their intentions was not only through the principles they articulated in their writings, but the practices they observed, and few practices are as straightforward as the way they worshipped. If it may be demonstrated that their worship was Christian and that they intended that this worship should not be excluded from the recognition and appreciation of the government, the fraudulent claims of secularism are completely denied, and therefore, must be denounced by an accurately informed people. The misinformation and fraudulent claims of secularism against America's Christian heritage suffer a grievous blow when we realize that America's Founding Fathers established a church within the United States Capitol before its construction was complete, and the Capitol continued to be used as a Church until after the Civil War.A church had been meeting in the United States Capitol for more than five years before Congress officially occupied the Capitol. The first session of both houses of Congress at the Capitol began on November 17, 1800. During the first few weeks, committee room assignments and other designations for the use of the Capitol were made.It was during this period of allotting rooms and space throughout the Capitol, that the larger chamber of the House of Representatives was officially designated as the place where church services would be held. With no debate, the House of Representatives—by consensus—made provision for the use of their chamber for Christian worship services. No other building at that time in Washington was sufficient to accommodate the large crowd that attended worship at the Capitol, and the chamber of the House of Representatives was the largest room in the Capitol. The Annals of Congress records the ease with which Christian worship was officially sanctioned in the Capitol. On Thursday, December 4, 1800, a brief entry was made in this official record of the House of Representatives which read:The Speaker informed the House that the Chaplains had proposed, if agreeable to the House, to hold Divine service every Sunday in their Chamber.Observance: On or before December 6Early in the life of the Christian Church, believers began to engraft a pagan practice into the life of Christianity. That practice was the worship of the dead. Pagans had long practiced praying to loved ones and tribal heroes who were deceased, often placing objects of affection and veneration at their burial sites, and in time, the practices of ancestor and hero worship made their way into second- and third-century Christianity. These early pagan influences laid the foundation for the practice of saint worship—praying to renowned deceased Christian leaders.Though movements within the Roman Catholic Church attempted to reform this practice, it was not until the Protestant Reformation and Reformers such as John Calvin in Switzerland and the Dissenters of England that it was more forcefully resisted. Though believers must never attribute divine characteristics to those who have lived exemplary Christian lives, the study of their lives may lend remarkable encouragement to succeeding generations of believers.What may be known about Nicholas is often shrouded by fables and folk lure. Throughout the centuries following his death, more and more stories arose about Nicholas that were born out of a desire to create Christian heroes that would tower above the heroes of pagans and other non-Christians. The magical and supernatural deeds commonly credited to Nicholas were often the result of vivid imaginations on the part of admiring Christians who were often attempting to demonstrate the superiority of the Christian faith by displaying the supernatural acts of the most highly esteemed leaders of the faith.From what may be gleaned from the life of Nicholas of Myra (most commonly known as St. Nicholas), contemporary believers may expect to benefit from his example and lingering influence. Along with the Apostle Paul, Augustine, Luther, Wesley and many others, we may list St. Nicholas among that evangelical “great cloud of witnesses” and profit from what may be learned about his ministry.Nicholas was born about 270 in the city of Patara, a seaport city in the province of Lycia in Asia Minor. Today, Asia Minor is known as Turkey and is dominated by Islam. Born at a time when it was illegal to be a Christian, Nicholas’ parents were committed followers of Christ. Nearly half of his life was spent under the Roman Persecution of the Church—a time when Christians were martyred for their faith. In his childhood, Nicholas was taught the Christian Scriptures by his mother and father. Little is known of Nicholas' childhood, but what is known about his father is that he was a man of considerable wealth. Both parents were committed believers, but tragedy struck their small family when an epidemic swept through their town, taking the lives of both parents and orphaning young Nicholas.From his parents, Nicholas inherited his Christian faith and considerable financial fortune, both of which he used to enrich the lives of fellow believers. With his faith in tack, young Nicholas grew to become an ardent follower of Christ and faithful Christian pastor in a town some distance from were he was born. The name of the town were he was chosen as pastor of the Christians living there was Myra, also in modern-day Turkey.Later generations of Christians believed that he wore red clerical attire and in their paintings of what they believed he wore that attributed to him the suits worn by the bishops of their own times rather than the era of Nicholas. Nearly six hundred years would pass following the ministry of Nicholas before church history would record the first use of “the miter and the red cope” by the pope of Roman.On December 6, 343, he passed from this life into the eternal arms of his Lord. He was buried in a small church, but the memory of his ministry did not soon die.Observance: December 7On the quiet Sunday morning of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a secret attack against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack was preemptive and intended to prevent the U.S Pacific Fleet from interfering with the military assaults of the Empire of Japan against the territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States in Southeast Asia.The primary attack was conducted by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes in two separate waves, launched from six undetected Japanese aircraft carriers. All eight of the U.S. Navy battleships were damaged in the attack, four of which were sunk. In addition, the Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer, with 188 U.S. aircraft also being destroyed. Other base installations, such as the power station, headquarters building, shipyard, submarine piers, fuel and torpedo storage facilities, and maintenance buildings were not attacked.As may be expected, American casualties were high, with 2, 402 being killed and 1,282 wounded. Comparatively speaking, Japanese losses were light. While only one Japanese sailor was captured, 29 aircraft and five midget submarines used in the attack were lost, and 65 servicemen were either killed or wounded.The response from the United States was swift. The following day (December 8) America declared war upon Japan. In addition, the attack led directly to the American entrance into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters of conflict. Prior to the attack upon Pearl Harbor, support for the non-intervention of the United States in the War had been strong, but following the attack such resistance disappeared.So treacherous was the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, that is led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to declare that December 7, 1941 would be regarded as "a date which will live in infamy."Remembrance: December 11 Congressional Spiritual ProclamationAmong the thousands of documents and events that demonstrate America's Christian origin are the sixteen spiritual proclamations issues by Congress during the American Revolution. Following the pattern of fasting, praying, and offering of thanksgiving to God that was use in the New England Colonies, Congress asked the American states to fast and pray in the spring and offer prayer and thanksgiving in the fall of the year. States were asked to invite their citizens to cease their labors and observe the day as proscribed by Congress.The first of the sixteen spiritual proclamations was issued in late spring on June 7, 1775 and was a fasting and prayer proclamation. The sixteenth and last spiritual proclamation to be issued by Congress on August 3, 1784 was a thanksgiving proclamation.Congress issued one proclamation in the month of December during these years. The spiritual proclamation number, the date it was issued, and the purpose for which it was issued are listed below:Observance: December 17On December 17, 1903, two inventor brothers and aviation pioneers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, piloted the world's first successful manned flying machine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Although the Wright brothers were not the first to construct and fly experimental aircraft, they were the first to equip their flying machine with controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible. Over the two years that followed the first flight at Kitty Hawk, Orville and Wilbur developed their invention into the first practical fixed-wing airplane.What is often overlooked is the fact that the Wright brothers were the sons of Milton Wright, bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and natal denomination to the present writer and his wife. In 1889, Bishop Wright led a split in the denomination when a new constitution was proposed by a large portion of the church. The smaller portion of the denomination which he helped to lead, known as the United Brethren in Christ (Old Constitution), eventually established its headquarters in Huntingdon, Indiana. The larger portion of the denomination, known as the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution), eventually merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 to become the United Methodist Church.Bishop Wright had been stationed at the United Brethren headquarters in Dayton, Ohio, and for this reason, the Wright brothers, yet children, grew out of childhood to live and work in Dayton. Following their initial success as aviators, the Wright name became associated with one of the most important aviation centers in the world. In 1917, Wilbur Wright lent his name and consulting skills to six businessmen who formed the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, which helped to supply the military with airplanes during World War I. As a result, Dayton became an important center for the production of military aircraft. By the early 1920s, efforts were being made to preserve the development of American and world aviation history in the form of a museum. Today the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the oldest aviation museum in the world, exists as the result of successive efforts to memorialize aviation history. It lies just outside of Dayton, and it does so because a Christian minister was called to serve his denomination as a bishop, laboring at his church's headquarters in Dayton, Ohio.Observance: On or before December 27The life and ministry of the Apostle John, son of Zebedee, is observed annually on December 27 by Christians in the West. John was distinguished as a prophet, an apostle, and an evangelist. He is known as the beloved disciple or "the disciple whom Jesus loved," and was the younger brother of James the Great. The two brothers, and sons of Zebedee, were known as the "sons of thunder." John was previously a disciple of John the Baptist, and after becoming a disciple of Jesus was not only one of the Twelve Apostles, but one of the three members of the inner circle chosen by Jesus from among the Twelve. With these three, Peter, James and John, Christ communicated his teachings more explicitly.Throughout the end of the twentieth and beginning of the twenty-first centuries, Christianity in America has been under a withering attack from secular and non-Christian religious forces. In the 1960s and following, prayer and Bible reading was taken from our public schools. Since this time, public displays of the Christian faith have been consistently and persistently under attack. Gone from public display are the symbols of the Christian faith that guided the birthing and maturing of America.As the courts grant permission to those outside the Christian faith to attack America’s Christian heritage, believers must be more deeply resolved to the visualization of their faith. From the earliest generations of the Church, a rich heritage of symbols has arisen to give expression to the faith of the Christian tradition, symbols which the Church has called "chrismons."Many of America's Founding Fathers read the Bible through each year. For them, the Bible was a means of direction for their personal lives and the life of the nation. Contrary to the popular notion pushed on American that her Founding Fathers were secular, overwhelmingly they were Christians. A study of the Journals of Congress or minutes of Congress reveals that Founding Fathers endorsed the Christian religion and its practices—though no single denomination was endorsed.Few are aware that many of America's Founding Fathers were founders of Bible societies. In fact, Elias Boudinot was a distinguished Founding Father who served as a president of Congress (from Nov. 4, 1782–Nov. 3, 1783), was a member of the American spy network during the Revolution, and held prominent positions in government following the War of Independence. Like many other Founding Fathers, Boudinot promoted Bible societies and served as the first president of the American Bible Society. He was followed in that office by John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.The idea that the people of a nation were the primary foundation of government is known as "republicanism," and Founding Fathers such as Noah Webster understood that the Bible provided the foundation for republicanism:The brief exposition of the constitution of the United States, will unfold to young persons the principles of republican government; and it is the sincere desire of the writer that our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament or the Christian religion.As the new year begins, Christians should give careful consideration to designated personal times of prayer and Bible reading. To assist in the matter of prayer and Bible reading, suggested resources are offered below:Some additional dates of significance include the following:December 12, 1847: James Kent (July 31, 1763 – December 12, 1847) was an American jurist and legal scholar. He has been long remembered for his Commentaries on American Law (four volumes, published 1826-1830), highly respected in England and America. The Commentaries treated both state, federal and international law, and the law of personal rights and of property, and went through six editions in Kent's lifetime. With Joseph Story, he is remembered as the Father of American Jurisprudence.December 15, 1791: The First Amendment (along with the rest of the Bill of Rights) was submitted to the states for ratification on September 25, 1789 and adopted on December 15, 1791.December 16, 1773, Boston Tea Party. After officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of taxed tea to Britain, a group of colonists boarded the ships and destroyed the tea by throwing it into Boston Harbor.December 22, 1984: Audrey Wetherell Johnson founder of Bible Study Fellowship (also known as BSF) is an international Christian interdenominational or parachurch fellowship of lay people offering a system of structured bible study. Johnson, who had been a British evangelist to China, started Bible Study Fellowship in 1959.December 23, 1915: William Howard Doane (born in Preston, Connecticut on February 3, 1832; died in South Orange, New Jersey on December 23, 1915) was an industrialist who composed Christian hymn tunes. He held patents on wood-working machinery and in 1861 became President of J. A. Fay and Company. In religious work he headed the Ohio Baptist Convention Ministers Aid Society for the Midwest. In 1875 he received his doctorate in music from Denison University. In his musical career he edited forty-three collections of hymns and composed hundreds of hymns. He composed the music to several hymns by Fanny Crosby.December 25, 1918: John Wilbur Chapman (June 17, 1859, Richmond, Indiana – December 25, 1918, New York, New York) was a Presbyterian evangelist in the late 19th Century, generally traveling with gospel singer Charles Alexander. His parents were Alexander H. and Lorinda (McWhinney) Chapman.December 29, 1876: Philip Paul Bliss (9 July 1838 – 29 December 1876) was an American composer, conductor, writer of hymns and a bass-baritone Gospel singer. He wrote many well-known hymns, including Almost Persuaded, Hallelujah, What a Savior!, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Wonderful Words of Life, and the tune for Horatio Spafford's, It Is Well with My Soul.December 29, 1903: Thomas Bramwell Welch (December 31, 1825 – December 29, 1903) was the inventor of the pasteurization process to prevent the fermentation of grape juice.December 31: Watch-night service. See our article on the influence of this service upon the life of America during the Revolution in our article, Watch-night Service: From Ale-house to Revolution.The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States with an Appendix Containing Important State Papers and Public Documents and All the Laws of a Public Nature (Washington : Gales and Seaton, 1855), 797. See John Woodbridge, More Than Conquerors: Portraits of Believers from All Walks of Life. Noah Webster, History of the United States to Which Is Prefixed a Brief Historical Account of Our English Ancestors (New Haven, CT: Durrie & Peck, 1832), 6.Christian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Living in DecemberChristian Heritage Fellowship FacebookChristian Heritage Fellowship FacebookChristian Heritage Fellowship Facebook
Often, the Christmas season is the most meaningful time of year—for both the believer and unbeliever. Many fail to use this season of the year to point to Christ as fully as they might to Christianize
Dr. Stephen Flick | November 29, 2024 | Christian Calendar (Holidays)
The holidays of America and most of Western civilization are the result of Christian influence and origin. As some of the most important holidays in America and throughout the world are celebrated at the end of the year, it is appropriate to rehearse the significance of their Christian beginnings. While secularists, atheists, agnostics, "free thinkers," and other forms of irreligion attempt to rob Christians of the heritage they have given to the world, followers of Christ must be more deeply resolved not to allow this group of antagonists to bully Christians and the world into submission.As the calendar year draws to an end, many opportunities for meaningful Christian celebration should not be overlooked. In America, Christians should make every effort to capitalize on the Christian heritage bequeathed to the nation by our forefathers—especially Christian Heritage Week, Bible Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, not to mention lesser-known observances. Important historical and spiritual events should not be permitted to lapse without being duly noted an observed by Christians—whether in the home, business, or local congregation. Contents In addition to the highlights of this month that are discussed below, additional subjects of interest regarding our Christian heritage are presented online, where they are arranged according to dates of occurrence—with particular attention being given to the influence Christianity has exercised upon the origin of America. The online calendar where these articles are arranged is under continual development with new articles appearing as they become available. By clicking the message box below, readers will navigate to the present month under consideration. The last four months of our year, September, October, November and December, all receive their names from Latin numerical terms. Prior to the introduction of January and February into our calendar system, the old Roman calendar employed a calendar of only ten months. Latin numbers were given to these months: septem, (meaning seven) became September; octem, (meaning eight) became October; novem (meaning nine) became November; decem (meaning ten) became December. When January and February were added to the ten-month calendar to become our twelve-month calendar, these latter four months retained their Latin names.In the Julian and Gregorian Calendars, November is the eleventh month of the year. November in the Northern Hemisphere is one of the months of autumn, but in the Southern Hemisphere it is the seasonal equivalent of May in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa.The official birth flowers of November are the chrysanthemum and peony. The chrysanthemum were first cultivated in China during the 15th century BC as a flowering herb and reached the Western world during the 17th century. Today, it is estimated that more than 20,000 varieties of chrysanthemums exist and because of their popularity are known as the “Queen of Fall Flowers”. They are believed to symbolize friendship and convey well-wishes.Observance: Prior to Election DayWhile the overwhelming majority of Americans are not pastors or church leaders, all Christians should be aware of the active role pastors played in early America to bring about the birth of the nation. America was founded on Christian biblical principles, but for many years, denominational leaders have failed to encourage the clergy and local churches to speak out on political issues. Fear of reprisal from the IRS has enslaved many denominational leaders to the notion that Christians should not speak out concerning the political direction of the nation. But early American ecclesiastical leaders were not timid about proclaiming the fact that Scripture teaches that the reign of Christ should be extended to the entire world, including politics.Pastors are encouraged to invited local politicians to an Election-Day Service to remind them of their duties under God and their responsibility to the Christian legal foundation of America. King George III reigned over the British Empire at the time of the American Revolution. He realized what Americans have forgotten. King George called the Revolution in America a "Black-robe Rebellion" because many pastors wore black clerical attire into their pulpits and preached that if the King and the English Parliament would not abide by the Law of God, the citizens had a right to throw off the yoke of tyranny. Pastors laid the theological foundation for the greatest nation in the history of the world, and if America is to remain great, pastors and church leaders will have to take a stand as courageous as our spiritual forefathers.The first Tuesday in November is "Election Day." Below are some valuable resources for Christians and church leaders with regard to this important opportunity to help Christianize our nation:American Family Association: Christian Coalition: Eagle Forum: Million Voices: WallBuilders: and Remembrance: Congressional Spiritual Proclamations in MarchAmong the thousands of documents and events that demonstrate America's Christian origin are the sixteen spiritual proclamations issues by Congress during the American Revolution. Following the pattern of fasting, praying, and offering of thanksgiving to God that was use in the New England Colonies, Congress asked the American states to fast and pray in the spring and offer prayer and thanksgiving in the fall of the year. States were asked to invite their citizens to cease their labors and observe the day as proscribed by Congress.The first of the sixteen spiritual proclamations was issued in late spring on June 7, 1775 and was a fasting and prayer proclamation. The sixteenth and last spiritual proclamation to be issued by Congress on August 3, 1784 was a thanksgiving proclamation.Congress issued two proclamations in the month of November during these years. The spiritual proclamation numbers, the dates they were issued, and the purpose for which they were issued are listed below:Proclamation #4 – November 1, 1777: ThanksgivingProclamation #6 – November 16, 1778: ThanksgivingObservance: On or prior to November 11In the United States, Veterans' Day is usually observed on November 11. If this date occurs on a Sunday, usually the following Monday is employed as the day of observance. If the eleventh should fall on a Saturday, it may be observed that day or the beginning of the following week.One of America's most decorated veterans was Sgt. Alvin York of Pall Mall, Tennessee. He was a deeply committed Christian who sought to live a sanctified Christian life as a member of the Churches of Christ in Christian Union (Circleville, Ohio). He was America's most highly decorated veteran of World War I.Observance: Sunday before to Saturday after ThanksgivingNational Bible Week begins the Sunday before Thanksgiving. That Sunday is designated as Bible Sunday. Because Bible Sunday immediately precedes Thanksgiving, it generally receives little if any attention. Therefore, it is suggested that pastors and local churches observe Bible Sunday one Sunday earlier to call attention to Bible week and yet make allowance for attention to be given to Thanksgiving the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Observing Bible Sunday one week earlier will also allow pastors sufficient opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving the Sunday before this important holiday.One of the most influential organizations used of the Lord to distribute Bibles around the world has been The Gideons International. Gideons are laymen and women who give sacrificially of themselves and their personal resources to advance the kingdom of Christ. It is safe to make the generalization that no other Bible-distributing organization contributes as much to the local churches throughout America and many parts of the world as does The Gideons International. Usually, local camps or organized groups of Gideons have speakers available to speak at local churches. In many cases, arrangements may be made with local Gideons for one of their speakers to address a congregation, speaking for a small portion or the entire speaking-portion of the service. A love offering will be deeply appreciated and used wisely to continue to place Bibles in hotels, hospitals, and other places where souls are in need of Jesus Christ. Please help the Gideons today!Observance: Week of ThanksgivingOn August 11, 1992, U. S. Representative for West Virginia's third congressional district, Mr. Nick Joe Rahall II, rose to address his colleagues with an important request:Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a House joint resolution calling for the designation of Thanksgiving week as "America's Christian Heritage Week." This year, the proclamation would cover the week of November 22 through November 28. It proclaims that America does, indeed, have a Christian heritage.This Democratic Representative went on to lament the repression of the Christian Faith in the nation it had birthed, but through his efforts, Congress placed its stamp of approval upon Mr. Rahall's motion. For his sincere efforts, Representative Rahall is to be highly commended.Tragically, Christians throughout America have failed to capitalize on what Congress did in 1992. Denominational leaders have failed to move the interests of Christ forward even on those very rare occasions when Congress hands them a gift such as this. For more than twenty years, this opportunity has lacked wide-scale support from Christians. It is no wonder that liberal main-line denominations have treated it with disdain, but it is inexcusable that Bible-believing denominations have failed to arm their members with the resources necessary to help stem the tide of spiritual and moral decay in our nation. Until Christian leaders begin to focus on the work to which Christ has called them, and not merely their own parochial passions, the Church in America will continue its decline.God give us leaders who will undertake the cause of Jesus Christ!Christians must become involved in the opportunity to remind the nation of our Christian heritage. Mr. Bruce Barilla has maintained a website encouraging pastors and the laity to become involved in this effort. Educational, political, and ecclesiastical leaders in every sphere of responsibility should be encouraged to participate. You may find Mr. Barilla at and other resources by searching the web. At the request of Christian Heritage Fellowship (2012), Mr. Barilla wrote to encourage Christians to become involved in this important opportunity:I encourage ministers, preachers, pastors/elders alike to participate in celebrating America's Christian Heritage Week at the local, state and national level with relevant Sunday school lessons, sermons, reading of proclamations, youth programs, patriotic song services and prayer meetings. Commemorating America's Christian heritage provides an opportunity for those choosing to participate to thank God for His 'Blessings of Liberty,' to ask His help to 'insure domestic Tranquility' and to recognize our national need and 'unalienable Rights' in reaffirming our 'reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence' for keeping our families secure, communities safe and America a 'Free and Independent' 'one Nation, under God.' As President Woodrow Wilson stated, "A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about...."Observance: First or second Sunday of NovemberThe International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is held in early November. In Western Christianity, the lives of Christians who have departed this world have been remembered in early November through "All Saints Day" and "All Souls Day." It is fitting that the modern Church set aside early November as a time to remember and pray for fellow believers who are being persecuted around the world. Many Christians support this effort through the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Riding upon the shoulders of Darwinism, irreligious and secular governments around the world seek increasingly to flex their tyrannical muscles. Secular irreligious governments, unfettered by divine law, always establish man's hateful, intolerant laws. The twentieth century alone clearly demonstrates how irreligious Darwinian governments have slaughtered millions around the world. Because America's Founding Fathers believed human rights originate with God, it is not possible to be a Darwinist or Marxist and be a true American. Observance: Fourth Thursday of NovemberIn America, the Thanksgiving tradition is commonly traced to 1621, the year after the Pilgrim Fathers arrived in the New World. After arriving in present-day Massachusetts, the Pilgrims experienced an extremely difficult first winter in their new home. With the assistance of the Wampanoag Natives Indians, the Pilgrims enjoyed a bountiful harvest in 1621, and to celebrate God's goodness, the Pilgrims joined with Natives to celebrate. Though an annual Thanksgiving feast was not observed until the 1660s, subsequent Thanksgivings to 1621 were observed. In addition to feasts, the Pilgrims and Puritans, who followed to the New World, also observed seasons of fasting. This latter practice was used by civil leaders in the American Colonies for many years. President George Washington issued the First Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789, establishing November 26, 1789 as a day of thanksgiving and prayer to "Almighty God" for His providential care of our fledgling nation.Observance: On or before November 30The Apostle Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, carried the Gospel to many Asiatic nations, beginning his missionary endeavors in the Provinces of Vithynia and Pontus on the southern shores of the Black Sea. It is believed that he subsequently traveled to the City of Byzantium where he established a church.In one of his missionary tours to Achaia (Greece), Andrew visited the city of Patras where his preaching and miracles drew many to Christ, including Maximilla, the wife of the Roman Proconsul, Aegeates. The Proconsul's own brother, Stratoklis, followed the example of his sister-in-law, Maximilla, and became a Christian as well. Andrew, realizing the sincerity of his faith consecrated Stratoklis to the office of Bishop of Patras. What followed this experience resulted in Andrew's martyrdom.Our suggested resources for the month of October address several subjects of importance. In addition to suggested timely reading materials, our occasional Heritage Hallmarks remind our readers of significant moments in the life of the Christian Church and American life. They are designed to reflect upon the remarkable heritage bequeathed to America and the world by the Christian Faith and seek to visualize important moments in history. Secular influence has removed important monuments of Christian influence, but our Heritage Hallmarks allow parents and grandparents the opportunity to remind succeeding generations of the glorious heritage of Christianity. For a list of additional materials available at our site, please click the following link: Our Resources.To speak intelligently to a believing and unbelieving world, Christians must not only be able to defend the truth associated with the lives of the virtuous, but must also be prepared to expose the facts concerning the villainous. For this reason, individuals and events that are both beneficial and malignant are noted below. Knowledge of the virtuous provides insight into how the believer should live, while examples of the villainous prepare believers to "give an answer" to every individual of how life should not be lived (1 Peter 3:15).November 1772: Samuel Adams initiated the formation of the Committees of Correspondence that was so vital to the development of American interests prior to and during the Revolutionary War. See our article: November 11, 1620: After more than two months at sea, the Pilgrims arrived at Cape Cod. November 14, 1915: Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5, 1856 - November 14, 1915) was an African-American educator, author, orator, and advisor to presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African-American community. For more information concerning his influence upon American education, see David Barton, Four Centuries of American Education, 41.November 15, 1794: John Knox Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 - November 15, 1794) was a Scots Presbyterian minister and a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. As president of the College of New Jersey (1768-94; now Princeton University), he trained many leaders of the early nation and was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration.November 22, 1963: Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 - 22 November 1963), commonly called C. S. Lewis and known to his friends and family as "Jack", was a novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, and Christian apologist. Born in Belfast, Ireland, he held academic positions at both Oxford University (Magdalen College), 1925-1954, and Cambridge University (Magdalene College), 1954-1963. November 25, 1748: Isaac Watts (17 July 1674 - 25 November 1748) was an English hymnwriter, theologian and logician. A prolific and popular hymnwriter, he was recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in use today, and have been translated into many languages.November 30, 1864: The Battle of Franklin, TN was waged between Union and Confederate forces on this date. Confederate chaplain Edward McKendree Bounds was engaged in the conflict and taken captive. E. M. Bounds is widely known for his writings on prayer. Though Dr. Schmidt's interest focuses upon the commercialization of American holidays, his book still reflects the Christian influence of American holidays: Leigh Eric Schmidt, Consumer Rites: The Buying and Selling of American Holidays (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1995). Usually this is observed the first or second Sundays of November and dates of observance vary among organizations supporting this effort. See and . Bradford, Plymouth Settlement, 64. See John Woodbridge, More Than Conquerors: Portraits of Believers from All Walks of Life.Christian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Living in NovemberChristian Heritage Fellowship FacebookChristian Heritage Fellowship FacebookChristian Heritage Fellowship Facebook
The holidays of America and most of Western civilization are the result of Christian influence and origin. As some of the most important holidays in America and throughout the world are celebrated at
Dr. Stephen Flick | October 27, 2024 | Christian Calendar (Holidays)
By the time October arrives, many plans for the end-of-the-year activities are well underway or soon will be. No other season of the year provides as much opportunity for creating spiritual impressions upon young and old alike as do the closing months of the year. In contemporary society, Christians must conceive of ways to convey the glory of the gospel to a suspicious and cynical world. Often this task is complicated by the fact that America and other parts of the world are increasingly biblically illiterate and many audiences do not readily understand the allusions to Scriptural events and concepts. The end of the year affords sanctified creativity with many opportunities for Christian edification and proclamation, and it presents some of the most meaningful opportunities for appreciating our Christian heritage. As is the case on other occasions and for other events, October and the end of the calendar year offers Bible-believing Christians opportunities to correct errors and half-truths and set an agenda for Christian living that honors the Lord in every sphere of life.Christian Living October Table of Contents In addition to the highlights of this month that are discussed below, additional subjects of interest regarding our Christian heritage are presented online where they are arranged according to dates of occurrence with particular attention being given to the influence Christianity has exercised upon the origin of America. The online calendar where these articles are arranged is under continual development with new articles appearing as they become available. By clicking the message box below, readers will navigate to the present month under consideration.The month of October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months, each with a length of 31 days. In the evolution of the Western calendar, October was the eighth month in the old Roman Calendar, but when Julius Caesar introduced the Julian Calendar two months were inserted at the beginning of the year—January and February. "October" means "eighth month," but when the Julian Calendar inserted January and February, October (from the Latin "octo") receded to the tenth month but its name was not changed to reflect its new position in the calendar.In the Northern hemisphere, October is commonly associated with autumn, but in the Southern hemisphere, it is associated with spring where it is regarded as the seasonal equivalent to April in the Northern hemisphere, and vice versa.Observance: August through early OctoberDuring election cycles Christians should become actively involved in the political process. Unbelievers decide many elections simply because Christians refuse to be troubled by the simple process that is required to become politically active. Some of these same individuals contend that there should be a separation of the Church from political interests. But in siding with the liberal cause, they deny Jesus Christ his rightful rule over the world. As the Apostle Paul began to close his letter to the Christians in the city of Rome, he penned the following benediction, expressing his political teaching:Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations so they might believe and obey Himллto the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 16:25-27) As the Apostle Paul indicated, God intends that all people and that all "nations should believe and obey Him." No one can seriously regard the teaching of the Bible who denies that God has the right to rule every sphere of His creation.Pastors should encourage their congregations to actively engage in a voter registration program. For years, liberal churches have endeavored to elect politicians of similar social views. Conservative Christians have been far too slow to engage in this effort. One of the best sources for such endeavors is the conservative political organization known as "iVoter Guide." Pastors and church leaders will be guided through the establishment of a voter registration campaign! Take a look at their resources today!Observance: Second Monday of OctoberChristian explorer Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492, is annually remembered on the second Monday of October. After a long voyage at sea, Columbus set foot on land in the Bahamas and subsequently established Spanish rule in Hispaniola. Columbus' Journal of the First Voyage to America clearly demonstrates that the explorer saw his mission as one that was to win souls for Christ. Under Spanish control, however, Hispaniola was greatly exploited; yet, Columbus' original intent was not the exploitation of the native or the land. Rather, his motive was religious, as he related in his own words:Whereas, Most Christian, High, Excellent, and Powerful Princes, King and Queen of Spain and of the Islands of the Sea, our Sovereigns, this present year 1492, after your Highnesses had terminated the war with the Moors reigning in Europe, the same having been brought to an end in the great city of Granada, where on the second day of January, this present year, I saw the royal banners of your Highnesses planted by force of arms upon the towers of the Alhambra, which is the fortress of that city, and saw the Moorish king come out at the gate of the city and kiss the hands of your Highnesses, and of the Prince my Sovereign; and in the present month, in consequence of the information which I had given your Highnesses respecting the countries of India and of a Prince, called Great Can, which in our language signifies King of Kings, how, at many times he, and his predecessors had sent to Rome soliciting instructors who might teach him our holy faith, and the holy Father had never granted his request, whereby great numbers of people were lost, believing in idolatry and doctrines of perdition. Your Highnesses, as Catholic Christians, and princes who love and promote the holy Christian faith, and are enemies of the doctrine of Mahomet , and of all idolatry and heresy, determined to send me, Christopher Columbus, to the above-mentioned countries of India, to see the said princes, people, and territories, and to learn their disposition and the proper method of converting them to our holy faith; and furthermore directed that I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certain evidence that any one has gone. So after having expelled the Jews from your dominions, your Highnesses, in the same month of January, ordered me to proceed with a sufficient armament to the said regions of India, and for that purpose granted me great favors, and ennobled me that thenceforth I might call myself Don, and be High Admiral of the Sea, and perpetual Viceroy and Governor in all the islands and continents which I might discover and acquire, or which may hereafter he discovered and acquired in the ocean; and that this dignity should be inherited by my eldest son, and thus descend from degree to degree forever. Hereupon I left the city of Granada, on Saturday, the twelfth day of May, 1492, and proceeded to Palos, a seaport, where I armed three vessels, very fit for such an enterprise, and having provided myself with abundance of stores and seamen, I set sail from the port, on Friday, the third of August, half an hour before sunrise, and steered for the Canary Islands of your Highnesses which are in the said ocean, thence to take my departure and proceed till I arrived at the Indies, and perform the embassy of your Highnesses to the Princes there, and discharge the orders given me. For this purpose I determined to keep an account of the voyage, and to write down punctually everything we performed or saw from day to day, as will hereafter appear. Moreover, Sovereign Princes, besides describing every night the occurrences of the day, and every day those of the preceding night, I intend to draw up a nautical chart, which shall contain the several parts of the ocean and land in their proper situations; and also to compose a book to represent the whole by picture with latitudes and longitudes, on all which accounts it behooves me to abstain from my sleep, and make many trials in navigation, which things will demand much labor.When Columbus first stepped on shore he christened the island San Salvador-meaning "Holy Savior"-and prayed: "O Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy holy Word Thou hast created the heaven, and the earth, and the sea; blessed and glorified by Thy name, and praised be Thy Majesty, which hath deigned to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy holy Name may be proclaimed in this . . . part of the earth."The Christian influence upon Western civilization started with Columbus and continued through the Founding Fathers of the United States. Since the 1920s, secularists have derided, doubted, and denied this influence, but the historical facts demonstrate the Christian origin of America!Remembrance: Congressional Spiritual Proclamations in MarchAmong the thousands of documents and events that demonstrate America's Christian origin are the sixteen spiritual proclamations issues by Congress during the American Revolution. Following the pattern of fasting, praying, and offering of thanksgiving to God that was use in the New England Colonies, Congress asked the American states to fast and pray in the spring and offer prayer and thanksgiving in the fall of the year. States were asked to invite their citizens to cease their labors and observe the day as proscribed by Congress.The first of the sixteen spiritual proclamations was issued in late spring on June 7, 1775 and was a fasting and prayer proclamation. The sixteenth and last spiritual proclamation to be issued by Congress on August 3, 1784 was a thanksgiving proclamation.Congress issued the most number of proclamations in the month of March during these years and the second most number of spiritual proclamations was issued in the month of October—five in all. The spiritual proclamation numbers, the dates they were issued, and the purpose for which they were issued are listed below:Proclamation #8 – October 20, 1779: ThanksgivingProclamation #10 – October 18, 1780: ThanksgivingProclamation #12 – October 26, 1781: Thanksgiving—British SurrenderProclamation #14 – October 11, 1782: ThanksgivingProclamation #15 – October 18, 1783: ThanksgivingSuggested Observance: On or before October 28As the Apostles bore testimony to their faith in their Lord Jesus Christ through martyrdom, the Early Church began to observe days of remembrance for their ministries. Unfortunately, the Christian Church also began to practice hagiolatry or the worship of the saints. The pagan idea of prayer being offered to and for the dead was absorbed into the practice of many Christians. Though the Bible teaches that Christians should never pray or worship to anyone or anything other than God, there is an appropriate place in the life of the Christian Church to remember with appreciation the faithful Christian who have given their strength and lives for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The lives of the Apostles Jude (also called Lebbaeus, Judas, Thaddaeus) and Simon the Zealot are both remembered on October 28.As is true of many of the Apostles, only faint evidence exists concerning the missionary efforts of St. Simon the Zealot. Though scholarly evidence for the ministry of the Apostle Simon outside of the New Testament is scarce, it is believed he labored in Palestine and may have labored together with the Apostle Jude in his evangelistic endeavors. An early Church historian claims that Simon was beheaded in Persia or shared the fate of other believers who were sawn to pieces as indicated in Hebrews 11. The shield that bears witness to his ministry contains a fish and the Scriptures, indicating he was a fisher of men through the proclamation of the Gospel.The Apostle Jude, reportedly having traveled with Simon, is also said to have ministered in various places. The date of his death and the exact circumstances which surrounded his martyrdom are unknown for certain. Having traveled with St. Simon, some have believed he was also martyred with his companion. The lives and ministries of the Apostles Jude and Simon are remembered annually on the same day, October 28.Suggested Observance: October and early NovemberThe Thanksgiving/Christmas seasons provide believers with an opportunity to cooperatively seek to meet the physical needs of the local community. One of the effective means of multiplying the efforts of individual believers or local churches is to join efforts with other local ministries. By uniting with Christian charitable institutions, believers' efforts are multiplied. Likewise, most churches do not have the resources to meet the numerous material needs of the communities that they serve. During these important seasons, joining forces with the Salvation Army or other Christian organizations enhances the gifts of individuals and churches and allows these organizations to serve more effectively.While individuals or families may adapt the following suggestions, local churches may benefit most significantly. Non-perishable charitable contributions may be received for cooperative ministry at two periods around the Thanksgiving/Christmas seasons—each of which may extend over a period from three to four weeks. The first period begins at the end of October and ends about a week before Thanksgiving. The second possible period begins following Thanksgiving and continues to about a week before Christmas. It should be noted that a period of about a week (or more) is necessary to get non-perishable goods to charitable agencies so those goods may be distributed in a timely manner.Note: To help provide for the material needs of the local community, local churches may enter into cooperative ministry with other Christian organizations throughout the entire year by contributing monthly to those organizations which are more qualified to meet the demands of such ministries. Requests for assistance that are made to the local church may be referred to such charitable ministries with the confidence that the local church is helping to meet these needs.At all times and in all ways, Christians should seek to redeem the elements of society and bring them in conformity to the will of God as revealed in his Word, the Bible. In various cultures, Christians have attempted to displace pagan celebrations and cultural observances because of their incompatibility with Christian worship and morality. In some cases, they met with success, but often pagan culture has diluted the richer and higher claims of the Gospel of Christ upon individuals and all society. The subject of Halloween is one area that for centuries has eluded the complete submission to the true character of Christ. It is easy for a vibrant Christian to over react against perceived illegitimate principles or practices, but a reaction seldom positions an ardent believer in favorable light with the Lord or those observing Christians' reactions. For this reason, believers should be provided with a biblical response to the pagan origin and practices that gave rise to observances such as Halloween.Observance: On or before October 31On October 31, 1517, Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, initiated the Protestant Reformation by nailing his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the castle church at Wittenberg, Germany. Previous attempts to reform the Roman Church had failed, and Rome was far from the evangelical truth that had birthed the Christian Church. Salvation was believed to be achieved through protracted self-effort rather than a vibrant transforming faith in Christ as the only Savior of the human race.This date should not be an occasion to merely rehearse differences of principles, but rather, the entire Church should celebrate this occasion when a significant portion of the Church returned to its biblical evangelical faith. Had the entire Church returned to a deep conviction of salvation by a living—not a dead or dormant—faith, the kingdom of Christ on earth would have been realized to a degree never previously realized.Part of the glorious heritage of the Christian Faith is the rise and progress of the Protestant Reformation. Because of it, the Western Church that descended from Rome would never be the same. Parents and grandparents should seek opportunity to introduce children and grandchildren to the heroes of this era of the Christian Church. Pastors and church leaders should be versed in the most basic details of the individuals and principles involved in the Protestant Reformation. Denominational and local leaders must help recapture a sense of the glory of the Church by studying and celebrating its heritage, and Reformation Sunday is one of those important occasions!Our suggested resources for the month of October address several subjects of importance. In addition to suggested timely reading materials, our occasional Heritage Hallmarks remind our readers of significant moments in the life of the Christian Church and American life. They are designed to reflect upon the remarkable heritage bequeathed to America and the world by the Christian Faith and seek to visualize important moments in history. Secular influence has removed important monuments of Christian influence, but our Heritage Hallmarks allow parents and grandparents the opportunity to remind succeeding generations of the glorious heritage of Christianity. For a list of additional materials available at our site, please click the following link: Our Resources.To speak intelligently to a believing and unbelieving world, Christians must not only be able to defend the truth associated with the lives of the virtuous, but must also be prepared to expose the facts concerning the villainous. For this reason, individuals and events that are both beneficial and malignant are noted below. Knowledge of the virtuous provides insight into how the believer should live, while examples of the villainous prepare believers to "give an answer" to every individual of how life should not be lived (1 Peter 3:15).October 3, 1789: On October 3, 1789, President George Washington issued, from the U.S. Capitol in New York City, the first Presidential Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God. What occasioned the Proclamation was the submission of the Bill of Rights by the first session of Congress. On September 25, 1789, the Bill of Rights were finalized by the first Congress and submitted to the states for ratification, which was finally accomplished on December 15, 1791. These ten amendments (Bill of Rights) further limited the power of the newly formed federal government over the authority of the state governments.October 9, 1747: David Brainerd (April 20, 1718-October 9, 1747) was an American missionary to the Native Americans who had a particularly fruitful ministry among the Delaware Indians of New Jersey. During his short life, he was beset by many difficulties. As a result, his biography has become a source of inspiration and encouragement to many Christians, including missionaries such as William Carey and Jim Elliot, and Brainerd's cousin, the Second Great Awakening evangelist James Brainerd Taylor (1801-1829).October 10, 732: The Battle of Tours (October 10, 732) also called the Battle of Poitiers. This battle represents the high water mark for Muslims in Europe. Since the lifetime of Muhammad, Muslims continued their crusades against Christians. Charles Martel halted their advance in Europe.October 10, 1788: The last session during which the Continental Congress succeeded in achieving a quorum. The Continental Congress passed its last act on this date; 1789, March 2: Last session of the Continental Congress at Fraunces Tavern is adjourned sine die. Philip Pell of New York was the sole member in attendance.October 10, 1958: George Bennard (February 4, 1873 - October 10, 1958) was an American hymn composer and preacher. He is best known for composing the famous hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross".October 26, 1751: Philip Doddridge DD (26 June 1702 - 26 October 1751) was an English Nonconformist leader, educator, and hymnwriter. The calendar that bears Julius Caesar's name (Julian Calendar) was adopted in 46 BC but did not take effect until the following year in 45 BC. Redacted American Standard Version. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html Marshall and Manuel, Light and Glory, 41.Christian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Living OctoberChristian Heritage Fellowship FacebookChristian Heritage Fellowship FacebookChristian Heritage Fellowship Facebook
By the time October arrives, many plans for the end-of-the-year activities are well underway or soon will be. No other season of the year provides as much opportunity for creating spiritual impression
Dr. Stephen Flick | September 27, 2024 | Christian Living Articles
September offers many exciting opportunities for the expression of Christian living, some of which our readers may seek to employ in their homes, local churches and where appropriate, in their businesses. Of all that may be anticipated in the expression of our Christian faith in the month of September, renewed interest in Christian education should be a prominent focus. For many of us careful planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas is delayed too long and hasty efforts produce lackluster results, though grandma and grandpa would never admit it. Late summer and early fall is not too early to begin to give thoughtful reflection upon how we will express our Christian faith within our homes, churches, communities, businesses, and other opportunities as the year comes to a close. Remember, for decades the secularists have been removing Christian symbols from public view and as believers, we must seek to be creative in finding places to publicly express our faith.SeptemberTable of ContentsSeptemberThe term "September" is derived from Latin, the language of the Romans. In Latin, septem means "seven" while the closely related term septimus means "seventh." According to the Roman calendar, September was the seventh month of the year until 46 BC when the first month of the year was changed from March 1 (Kalendas Martius) to January 1 (Kalendas Januarius).According to the Julian and Gregorian Calendars, September is the ninth month of the year and one of four months with a length of 30 days. In the Northern Hemisphere, September is the seasonal equivalent of March in the Southern Hemisphere. The meteorological autumn in the Northern Hemisphere begins on September 1 while in the Southern Hemisphere, September 1 is the beginning of the meteorological spring. For Eastern Orthodox Christians the ecclesiastical year begins in September.The birthstone for the month of September is the sapphire and the birth flowers for September are three, including the forget-me-not, morning glory, and aster.In addition to the highlights of this month that are discussed below, additional subjects of interest regarding our Christian heritage are presented online where they are arranged according to dates of occurrence with particular attention being given to the influence Christianity has exercised upon the origin of America. The online calendar where these articles are arranged is under continual development with new articles appearing as they become available. By clicking the message box below, readers will navigate to the present month under consideration. Suggested observance: First weeks of January, May, and SeptemberChristians have observed periods of prayer and fasting as early as the era of the Apostles who, in turn. learned these spiritual disciplines from the Older Testament and the Hebrew tradition. To nurture and encourage the development of prayer, seasons of prayer may be observed within the family as well as the local church. Though a regular prayer life is encouraged within individual believers and their families, and weekly prayer and fasting is encouraged in the church, a periodic seasonal effort may be undertaken to sustain and further develop these habits. It was the custom of the Church in Early America (and the Continental and Congressional Congresses) to call for days of "public humiliation, fasting and prayer." To nurture a spirit of dependence upon the Lord, several seasons of prayer and fasting may be established in the calendar year. In America, the first week in January (after the Christmas holidays and the beginning of the year) the first week in May (which may include the last weekend in April and the week of National Day of Prayer) and the first week of September (the beginning of the new Sunday School year) provide good opportunities for more protracted efforts in the disciplines of prayer and fasting. During these weeks Christians may select at least one day (and more if possible) of the designated week for these spiritual disciplines. Christians in other nations may seek to identify other regular seasons more appropriate to their national and church life.Observance: August through early OctoberDuring election cycles Christians should become actively involved in the political process. Unbelievers decide many elections simply because Christians refuse to be troubled by the simple process that is required to become politically active. Some of these same individuals contend that there should be a separation of the Church from political interests. But in siding with the liberal cause, they deny Jesus Christ his rightful rule over the world. As the Apostle Paul began to close his letter to the Christians in the city of Rome, he penned the following benediction, expressing his political teaching:Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations so they might believe and obey Him, to the only wise God through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)
September offers many exciting opportunities for the expression of Christian living, some of which our readers may seek to employ in their homes, local churches and where appropriate, in their busines
Dr. Stephen Flick | August 28, 2024 | Christian Living Articles
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Christian Heritage Fellowship exists for the advancement of the faith of individual believers and the defense and advocacy of the Christian faith within the context of the family, local church, American society, and the global Christian community. Materials are developed chronologically and thematically with these purposes in mind. Some articles are seasonal and reappear throughout the calendar year.
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