Festivals & Holidays

People gather together to celebrate everything—from births and birthdays to lives well lived, the anticipation of something new and the memories of times passed.  Celebrations are good and as old as time itself.  God rested on the seventh day of creation, not because He needed it but to acknowledge the work accomplished and the goodness of appreciation.

Some things were never meant to be forgotten, like the value of human life. This is not a western idea. Jesus of Nazareth taught over and over the need to live peaceably and to love everyone. Period.

“Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!”
—Charles Wesley, 1739

It is winter in Minnesota so it must be carnival time. Come enjoy what is in store to the north in St. Paul, to the southeast in Rochester, and to the southwest in Waseca. You might want to bundle up in lots of layers to explore all the outdoor activities awaiting you. They all start this week and run through mid-February.

In the beginning of all things, God created the lights in the sky not only to give light to the earth but also “to mark seasons and days and years. “ (Genesis 1: 14-15) Much later he used a special light in the night sky to mark a special season, a special event that would impact the entire world. The men who saw it were wise indeed and set out to find its source.

How would you announce the birth of your child—a fancy post on social media? Photos and interviews on a major news channel? How about an angelic choir of rappers and an astronomical phenomenon specially prepared just for the event? This is how the God and Father of all Creation let the world know his son was born and the birth of the Christ Child has been the most celebrated holiday in the world ever since.

We celebrate to remember the past, sometimes out of reverence, sometimes out of joy, mostly out of traditions that embrace both. Whatever the reason, celebrating involves grateful hearts, generous spirits, and a lot of good things—good people, good food, good fun.

Boo! The Mill Town Haunt is closed for 2017. This trick is no treat for local fans of the family friendly charity-fundraiser in Dundas. However, they promise to be back better than ever next year but where do families take their costumed impressionable wee-ones now?

It’s fall and that means fun on the farm. Pick your own apples or pumpkins. Take a ride in a wagon. Learn how apple cider is made and enjoy some with a donut from the farm store. Pet farm animals or play in their fun play area. Or get lost in a corn maze.

It's 1517 Wittenberg, Germany. Things aren’t right in the Roman Catholic Church. Men representing the Pope are subverting the gospel and leading people astray, forgiving past and future sins for a price. The money lines pockets as well as funding various projects such as the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.