ABOUT US
We will be celebrating our 3rd Festival of Life party this year. The festival started out mainly as an alternative to Halloween but it is developing to be a stand alone platform from where to celebrate life and not only a counter reaction to Halloween. It will bring me much joy to see more and more people joining us on the 31st of October in a celebration of life using it as an opportunity to be creative, to have fun and start a new tradition.
My aim is not to give to much attention to Halloween but it is wise to have a bit of an understanding regarding the origin of Halloween. I came across an interesting article on www.history.com it offers an interesting summary and it is worth a read. I choose to 'smell the roses', to focus on the good and fill my mind with that which builds up. If you want to join us use this site to spark of ideas and please share your thoughts, parties etc with us. Regards Estelle "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 |
I am a mother of two living in Johannesburg, South Africa. I only became aware that there is much more to Halloween than the “trick or treat” we see on television, when my sister and her family moved to the USA and started telling us what happens beyond the dressing up and collecting sweets. I was shocked to learn that some families erect graves for every family member in their garden and hang skeletons and ghosts on their trees. I learnt Halloween is actually a celebration of everything associated with death, darkness and evil.
Personally I do not think that Christians should celebrate Halloween, when we serve a Lord who is associated with light, life, love and joy. Understandably many people are attracted to Halloween by the lure of getting together, dressing up, collecting sweets and having fun. Instead of telling my children and other people “do not celebrate Halloween” I would rather give them the opportunity have a celebration for the right reason and based on the right principles. I was delighted to discover that a good friend of mine shares this sentiment with me and this is how “The Festival of Life” came about. We have put forward a concept that will enable us to celebrate everything associated with life and light and allow us to experience joy, but based on Biblical principles. What a better way to delight yourself in the Lord than by celebrating with family and friends in a way that glorifies Him and spreads His light among the nations? Regards Nicola |
THE GIFT OF LIGHT
(Source credit: www.odb.org)
August 23, 2013 — by Bill Crowder
I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. --John 8:12
Sir Christopher Wren designed and built more than 50 church buildings in London during the late 1600s. His design style had two prominent features—the first of which was sturdy, tall steeples. The second, however, was more profound. Wren was convinced that all of the windows in his churches must use clear glass as opposed to the stained glass so popular in churches of that era. In part, his reason for the clear glass is found in words attributed to him: “God’s greatest gift to man is light.” Allowing light to bathe people as they worshiped was, to Wren, a celebration of that gift.
In the Genesis account, on the first day of creation God made light (1:3). The light God created is even more than just a means by which to see. It’s a picture of what Christ brought when He entered this darkened world. In John 8:12, our Lord said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” To the follower of Christ, light is one of the great reminders of the character of our Savior and the quality of the life He has given us through His sacrifice on the cross.
Wren was right. God’s greatest gift to man is light—Jesus Christ, the Light of the world!
(Source credit: www.odb.org)
August 23, 2013 — by Bill Crowder
I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. --John 8:12
Sir Christopher Wren designed and built more than 50 church buildings in London during the late 1600s. His design style had two prominent features—the first of which was sturdy, tall steeples. The second, however, was more profound. Wren was convinced that all of the windows in his churches must use clear glass as opposed to the stained glass so popular in churches of that era. In part, his reason for the clear glass is found in words attributed to him: “God’s greatest gift to man is light.” Allowing light to bathe people as they worshiped was, to Wren, a celebration of that gift.
In the Genesis account, on the first day of creation God made light (1:3). The light God created is even more than just a means by which to see. It’s a picture of what Christ brought when He entered this darkened world. In John 8:12, our Lord said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” To the follower of Christ, light is one of the great reminders of the character of our Savior and the quality of the life He has given us through His sacrifice on the cross.
Wren was right. God’s greatest gift to man is light—Jesus Christ, the Light of the world!
