What makes a day sacred?

How many sacred days do you hold?

That is a bit of a trick question, sorry. The obvious response depending on your faith tradition would be focused on what we might see as holy days, feasts and festivals, remembrances, etc. Most Christian churches will at least celebrate Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas. Some will include Epiphany and Pentecost, maybe the Ascension or Annunciation, and still others include Ash Wednesday. Other traditions will include dates relevant to different saints or major events in their given tradition. Of course many forget about the idea of worship on Sunday on a regular basis, a day set aside very early on in church history as a sacred day.

What about sacred days for you personally?

Some may not like the use of ‘sacred’ for a unique day to celebrate or remember, and may prefer just calling it ‘special’. I push back on that, starting from the perspective that every day we are given is sacred. Considering the idea of ‘sacred’ being separate, as in holy, associating its place as representing something unique and set apart from the rest. It holds meaning, it sticks with you, and it calls you to something more by recognising it. This of course can easily bring us to a discussion on ritual, religion, and veneration, but for now let’s keep it to your personal calendar. I am sure if you take a moment you will remember a few significant days that you hold dear…birthdays, baptisms, big decisions, etc. etc.

My calendar is filled with sacred days, I just don’t always remember them!

A few days ago I realised it was my anniversary, and I forgot about it. For me, that is a very good thing. 30 years ago I got married and made a promise I was unable to keep. A few weeks ago I breezed past another anniversary which I am very thankful did not stand out on the calendar anymore. The day I was told the marriage was no more. I did hold those dates with a sense of sacredness, and some days I still do, and that sentiment may change as the years go by. When I remember those dates the recognition has changed, the feelings are not the same, but they still hold some kind of meaning to my journey as a person.

Making certain dates separate and observed is helpful in how we process the story of life.

My extended Friesen family has a family calendar made every few years, with birth dates and updated pictures for everyone to cherish. Things change year by year, family members are added to the mix, some move on, babies are born; all the things you expect with a large family! A couple of calendars ago I made the request that the date of grandma’s (my mom) death be included because many could not remember it. It was a significant moment in our lives and continues to be significant to those who have become part of the family tree after the fact. The next one will most likely have a date for my Dad’s passing, so everyone can take a moment to remember. Those dates are no longer regular days, they are separate.

So if you have not taken a moment this season to take stock of your sacred days, I encourage you to go for it, and put a few on the calendar.