Home: Holidays

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Reformation Day and Halloween

By Timothy R. Butler | Posted at 0:15:5

Boy, I could go one of two ways with a post on a day such as this. In fact, I think I'll just cover both ends by linking to things.

Regarding Reformation Day, as I've said before, it is useful to see it as a reminder of what we should do today, not as a day of remembering old dirty laundry between parts of the one, catholic Church. I may not agree entirely on doctrine with my (big C) Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, but I don't dwell on today as a way to further divide us. The division is an unfortunate part of the story of this day, and one that we are at least repairing somewhat as Protestants and Catholics continue to work together more. Today, the Reformation is a reminder that we should always be reforming our doctrine so as to avoid, to use a favorite term among my English Lit friends, “the signifier slipping from the signified.” The ever thoughtful Ed writes to that end on OFB.

For Halloween, check out this morbidly amusing video, entitled “the Life and Death of a Pumpkin.”

Happy Halloween and Happy Reformation Day!

Holiday Monday Madness

By Timothy R. Butler | Posted at 22:11:58

1. Which holidays (if any) do you consider more as a day off from work, than anything else?
The day after Thanksgiving, I suppose, if you count that as a part of the holiday (or if “Black Friday” is given its own holiday status). Labor Day or Memorial Day would fit too. I usually don't get Labor Day off from classes — I did, for once, today, but I did other work, so…

2. Which 3 holidays are most celebrated in your family?
Christmas, Independence Day and Easter, most likely. Sometimes Thanksgiving turns out to be a bigger “family celebration” kind of holiday, however.

3. Do you have an organized filing system at home?
Somewhat. My books are classified topically and I may move to Library of Congress classification someday, just for fun. Papers are filed in different parts of my file cabinet. Non-image documents on my computer are typically organized by date, with some types put into sub-folders. Photos are organized by iPhoto.

4. Do you clip coupons for groceries? If so, do you remember to use them? If not, why?
No — I usually just don't get to them. Aldi doesn't accept coupons either, so sometimes they just aren't relevant.

5. How many magazines do you subscribe to?
Two. eWeek and InfoWorld. I'd like to subscribe to Investor's Business Daily, however it is a bit too pricey and it is more of a newspaper anyway.

6. Do you play any computer games on a regular basis? If so, which is your favorite, and why?
No, but if I had time, I'd love to play some SimCity again someday.

7. Have you watched any movies worth recommending, lately?
What's Up Doc with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal was really funny the other night (my uncle lent his DVD to me). The movie I've seen in the last 45 days that I'd probably recommend most highly would be Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, however.

Happy Fourth!

By Timothy R. Butler | Posted at 23:48:16

Well, I'm off to bed, but I just wanted to wish y'all a happy Fourth!

Hope all of you had a very nice one.

Bam!

By Timothy R. Butler | Posted at 23:35:43

Most of my family got together today, rather than tomorrow, since the work week resumes on Wednesday. We had a great party, but best of all, we planned to shoot off just enough fireworks that I reached the final stretch right as the wind picked up and it started to look threatening outside.

And I planned the whole thing last night! Not bad, huh? ;)

Happy New Year!

By Timothy R. Butler | Posted at 1:37:24

Well, I don't think I'm going to continue the Blogs of Christmas tonight, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow. For now, I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and blessed 2006! I hope y'all had a nice, safe New Years Eve. Anyone have big plans for the New Year?

On the Second Day of Christmas...

By Timothy R. Butler | Posted at 23:30:10

Well, no true love of mine gave me two turtle doves today, I'm afraid. Well, not really — why would I want two turtle doves? And skip the French hens too. But, since I didn't wish all of you a Merry Christmas on

Christmas day, please accept my belated wishes. With eleven days to go, I've decided to post a short note of thanks to each member of my blogroll over the remaining days of Christmas. I present the Eleven Blogs of Christmas.

Going in the present order of my blogroll (which may get confusing, since it shifts based on the updating of blogs), I'm going to start with my Missouri blogging buddy Michael (of Time to Believe). This seems an appropriate way to start, for, among other things, Michael always reminds me to be thankful. Michael has posted 130 “Thankful Tuesday Two” posts in which he takes a moment to be thankful for things we might otherwise take for granted. Thanks, Michael. :)

Whoops!

By | Posted at 1:4:29

I realized I forgot to wish y'all a happy St. Patrick's day yesterday. I hope all of you had a good one and remembered to wear green so that you wouldn't get pinched.

Myself, I enjoyed a lunch that included cabbage and potatoes, so I could not have been much happier. (Plus Thursday was a great day in general, but that's beside the point.)

Merry Christmas Once Again

By | Posted at 0:12:41

Hope you had a great Christmas! Remember, today is just day one of the twelve days of Christmas…

Christmastime

By | Posted at 19:5:14
Well, I brushed off my full iTunes library of Christmas music for the first time of the season today with one of my favorite albums, Michael W. Smith's Christmastime. The song of the same name is quite enchanting.
Loved ones close to our hearts and strangers in lands afar
Together share in the joy
Emmanuel
He has come to dwell
With one voice
Let the world rejoice
The CD is a masterful blend of tracks with instrumental, children's choir, and of course, MWS's singing as well. MWS has a knack for composition, and this CD is a testament to it. While the individual songs are good, it is best experienced played in its original order rather than being shuffled, I think. It is a Christmas experience — with a little work, it would probably make an amazing Christmas cantata service.

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Merry Christmas

By | Posted at 19:55:31
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas to all of my friends in the Blogosphere. I hope all of you have a merry and blessed Christmas this year (and have plenty of good things to eat to boot)!

Here's my annual Christmas story quotation:

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. {11}Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. {12}This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” {13}Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

- Luke 2:10-14 (NIV)

I have the whole thing conveniently placed online here if anyone is interested. :-)

Merry Christmas once again and to all a good night!

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