In Proverbs, Agur describes death as something that is never satisfied – that never says “Enough!” (Proverbs 30:15-16). It’s like a fire somehow – the more it gets fed, the more it seems to grow.
We’ve talked often about the Day of the Dead (or Days) here in Mexico. The holiday itself seems to have an insatiable appetite, like death itself.
In our time in Mexico, we’ve seen it swallow up the darker aspects of Hallowe’en (see this post from five years ago – Hallowe’en In Mexico (like never before). With the promotion of the holiday in the movie Spectre (which invented the never-before-seen Day of the Dead parade), and then later the Disney/Pixar movie Coco, the holiday gained newfound fame. The confusion of beliefs and false hope it brings spread even further.
But it’s still hungry, and it’s not done yet.
Let’s see how we can throw a love of dogs (I love dogs) into the mix. Yes, there is a way.
For this we’ll start in Nepal, where one of the most popular celebrations is a festival of lights known as Tihar (also celebrated in parts of India, and related to a similar festival called Diwali). It falls in October or November each year (changing because of the phases of the moon).
The festival is focused around the Hindu god of death, and the Hindu goddess of wealth/fortune. These and other gods are worshipped through various rituals during the five day celebration.
After the initial worship of crows as the messengers of death (day 1), we get to day 2 – known as Kukur Tihar. On this day, dogs are worshipped as protectors of the house, and representatives of the god of death (or perhaps an incarnation of the god of death himself).
Poster for this year’s celebration in Mexico City.Due to the propitious timing of the holiday (around the Days of the Dead), the popularity of dogs in Mexico, and the solid connection to the worship of death, Kukur Tihar came to Mexico in a big way in 2016.
A perfect addition to the Days of the Dead – a belief in the return of the spirits of adults, and children – now we can add dogs to the mix.
With a modest start in 2016 (with 200 people attending in Mexico City), the celebration has grown not only in Mexico City but elsewhere.
Many in Mexico worship their own “god of death” known as Saint Death, which is also highlighted around this time of year.
Many cultures seek ways to appease death, often through some form of death worship. But death will never be appeased. Instead, we look to the true God, who has power over death, and the one Saviour that He has given. We look to the future reality, when we will say – Death is swallowed up in victory! (1 Corinthians 15:54)
It’s 6 weeks until Christmas Eve. And no, I’m not playing Christmas music yet. I’ll save that until December.
Music is perhaps one of the best measures of what Christmas has become in our world today. I think it was last year when I heard about a poll that ambitiously tried to identify the greatest Christmas song of all time. Of all time!
I’m not sure what the specific poll was, but I did a little searching and found a few similar polls, with similar results. And I ask you – what in the world has happened to Christmas?
The greatest Christmas song of all time – all time.
So let me give you the general categories of the top 10, without naming them all. You can imagine.
First, the collection of “general Christmas atmosphere” songs. Bells a-ringing, snow a’falling, time with loved ones. I like these kinds of songs actually, but the most popular seem to be the most shallow of the shallow – painfully so. No meaning behind any of the bells and lights at all – not even fondness for family.
Next, the typical “peace on earth” songs. Feed the children, stop the war. These, sadly, came the closest to anything related to the Bible. The closest in the whole list is the haunting “The Little Drummer Boy (Peace On Earth)” sung by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Nothing biblical, just the legendary drummer boy. The song longs for peace, but can’t quite find the answer.
But that doesn’t bring us to the three that are arguably the most popular. Of course you have to have the obligatory love song – “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. But from there you descend to the top of the list, where the songs are skeptical, and generally outright immoral.
Sad, shallow, immoral – a Christmas without meaning has become a Christmas that stabs like a knife. Welcome to the top 10 Christmas songs – of all time.
Christmas has its roots in the interest that the very first Christians had of Jesus’ birth. The high language of John, and the specifics of Matthew and Luke. The meaning of this story transcended cultures and inspired art and music and transformed lives for centuries.
So I started thinking – what would I consider to be the greatest Christmas song of all time? Not necessarily my favourite – but truly the greatest?
There are lots to choose from (and non are in the top 10 lists).
I finally came up with my pick. So between now and Christmas Eve, I’d like to pull it out and talk about it in detail. And maybe try to get some of these other songs out of my head.
And maybe we can find the answer to the question Bowie at least asked – Peace on earth, can it be?
We enjoyed our service yesterday in Las Palmas, with guest speaker Ismael from the church in Jesús MarÃa. I took a few quick video clips and photos so you could see the church in action on a typical Sunday morning. It’s less than a minute long…
We had an … well, an interesting time this past Sunday. And thanks to those who prayed – it’s good to know you were praying. As you may see as you read on.
Eating after the service with some Ixtapaluca friends.So before our drive through the mountains, we had to go through the city of Pachuca. That’s where we got tangled up a little. Nothing major – actually, I missed one turn, and of course the friendly GPS (full name – Gabriela Paula Sanchez) adjusted our route. It looked like a fairly straight road, on the map….
It was straight. Straight up. And narrow. We probably could have made it if everyone had gotten out of the van (except the driver, of course). But … we almost made it … but instead backed aaaaaalllllllll the way down, and once back down we easily found another way, and made it without any more problems to the service. On time, even.
Which is better than about 1/3 of everyone else did. One vehicle broke down (from the church in charge of communion), the preacher (Ismael) wasn’t there, and about a hundred or two others were still missing as the service began half an hour late.
So here’s the thing. Thankfully, I had checked out the route the day before, and other than the missed turn above, found it not too difficult. But once you get into the mountains, just try to get online and get an accurate map going on Google maps. Just try. You might end up like a group from one church, lost for 3-4 hours in the mountains.
Exploring after the service…Well, the good news. We were able to have the communion service. Ismael arrived in time to preach, and did a great job. And the others?
Well, some arrived after the service was over. One lost group finally decided just to find a park somewhere, stop to eat and have their own devotional, and then go home. But guess what park they pulled into?
Yep, the one where we were all eating lunch. So – late – but at least they all had a warm welcome when they arrived!
Anyway, the service went well. The traffic was horrendous and the way home, so we’re still tired. But at least we made it both to the service, and home! So thanks again for praying. 🙂
Tomorrow is our annual mega-service with several other churches in the Mexico City area. Ismael, pastor of the church in Jesús MarÃa, will be preaching.
It’s been an interesting time trying to organize our travel, as a church. There are some people with cars, and some without. Can we all squeeze in? Do we need to rent a bus?
Mountain road up to the camp (thanks to Google Maps)Well, our numbers were respectable, but not huge. It looked like we would all fit.
But then it turned out one vehicle wouldn’t be going (it’s not the vehicle’s fault, it’s because the owner isn’t going either). Can we fit? Yes, I think we’ll have space for everyone.
Then one family in our church had an accident (actually the second of our friends here to have an accident in the last few weeks). Don’t worry – they’re ok. But that’s another vehicle down.
Can we still fit? Well, now we’re at the last minute – I hope so! I’ve been messaging around looking for spaces and double checking who is coming. Still haven’t heard from everyone.
Ah well, Lord willing — we’re still going tomorrow — somehow! Up north of Mexico City, into the mountains. It’s supposed to be rainy and around 10C – pretty chilly for a service with no heat in an open structure.
Anyway, you could pray that we get it all worked out and are able to get everyone there safely! It will be an adventure!
I’m not sure what the specific poll was, but I did a little searching and found a few similar polls, with similar results. And I ask you – what in the world has happened to Christmas?
Which is better than about 1/3 of everyone else did. One vehicle broke down (from the church in charge of communion), the preacher (Ismael) wasn’t there, and about a hundred or two others were still missing as the service began half an hour late.
