"Traditions of November" by Lisa Kopala
Ahh—November. Warm sweaters, shorter days, fuzzy socks, hot apple cider, and of course…everything pumpkin! The leaves have fluttered to the ground and crunch beneath our feet as we enjoy the remaining days of sunshine and cooler temperatures before we begin to hunker down for winter’s coming blast.
What else is November noted for? Well, there’s National Button Day, World Vegan Day, Booklover’s Day, Square Dance Day, and my favorite, Men Make Dinner Day. Not to be outdone, there’s Sandwich Day, National Espresso Day, and Use Your Commonsense Day. And there is even Have a Bad Day Day, which pessimists must celebrate, I guess.
If you ask most people, they will probably say the most recognizable day in November is Thanksgiving. It is a time to gather with family and friends to enjoy fellowship, laughter, love, a feast of delicious food, and football. The Plymouth Colony settlers and the Wampanoag Indians were the first to gather for a meal of thanks in 1621. In 1789, George Washington declared the last Thursday in November to be a National Day of Thanks. Franklin Roosevelt tried to change the date but was met with much resistance, so the holiday remains as we observe it today. And did you know the first Thanksgiving football game was played in 1869? Rutgers and Yale held a traditional Thanksgiving Day game for five years beginning in 1876.
On a more serious note, there is Armistice Day or more commonly known as Veteran’s Day. It is a day set aside to honor all members of the armed forces whose dedication to world peace served this country with brave fortitude as they fought to protect us, even as some made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day to be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service.” At that time, people believed World War I would be the end of all wars, but that was not to be.
And then there is the first Sunday in November, All Saints Day, a day to remember and celebrate the lives of those well-lived. So many wonderful “heroes of the faith” have graced the doors of Second Baptist Church since its beginning. Zach Dawes, Managing Editor of Good Faith Media, said, “We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, and we would not be where we are today without the legacy of our ancestors.” Here at Second Baptist Church, we recognize family members and good friends of our congregation who have left us in the past year and are now resting in their salvation. As each name is read in memory, a rose is placed in a vase as a reminder of their faith, dedication, worship, and love. This years’ service will be a little different but in no way diminishes the meaning of remembering our dear ones. Roses will be given to those who wish to participate.
The Stephen Ministry at Second Baptist also helps those who mourn with another way to remember their loved ones with the Service of Hope. The holiday season can bring sadness to grieving people, and this service offers support and encouragement in their time of need. May God give those who mourn the comfort, strength, and peace for the living of their days.
In closing, I ran across a vintage postcard, which I believe sums up November perfectly:
A haze on the far horizon,
The infinite tender sky,
The ripe, rich tint of the cornfields,
And the wild geese sailing by.
And all over upland and lowland,
The charm of the goldenrod,
Some of us call it autumn,
And others call it God.
— John Wirsch, 1911