The Overlapping Holiday

grat·i·tude noun \ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\

1 : the state of being grateful : thankfulness

thank·ful adjective \ˈthaŋk-fəl\

1:conscious of benefit received

joy noun \ˈjȯi\

1. a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires :delight

b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety

2: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss

3: a source or cause of delight

I love looking up definitions of words that we use every day. Words that we throw around this time of year, like “gratitude” and “thankful”. We in America have one day a year dedicated to reminding ourselves to be “conscious of a benefit received”. 

I love that our country has a holiday dedicated to gratitude.

I have been reading (slowly) Ann Voskamp’s book, “One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.” As the title may suggest, the main idea of this book is to find gratitude, eucharisteo, in every day life. It is this Eucharisteo that is the theme of this post and the subsequent holiday.

“Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning “joy.” Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy.” - Ann Voskamp

As we leave the holiday centered on thankfulness and go into the holiday centered on joy (The best way to spread Christmas cheer is...?) I am striking a blow for freedom. Freedom of the holidays. Why not combine both of these ideas into one mega-holiday?

To say that this weekend has been all fun and joy would be a lie. It has been one of the most frustrating Christmas decorating sessions ever. From lights that suddenly stop working, to seat-belt citations, sickness, weariness, it just trying me, but I am also finding joy, because I know that in frustrations, I can exercise eucharisteo. It seems fitting. Because in the challenge I have found purpose. Overlapping the holidays.

“Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.” -Ann Voskamp

For the month or so leading up to Christmas I will be purely highlighting different aspects of my life that I am thankful for; people, places, structures, lessons, hardships, joys, abstract or concrete. 

I challenge you, whoever you are who read this, to do the same. Overlap your holidays and say thank you, abide in eucharisteo and find joy.

(see the next post here)