James Calvin Davis' American Liturgy: Finding Theological Meaning in the Holy Days of US Culture offers some reflections -- most in the form of sermons -- on one of the most vexing questions that has plagued my own ministry: Do we want the parish to celebrate secular holidays as part of our liturgy?
It's never been a simple question, precisely because American culture is so pervasive. We live and breathe it for seven days a week -- and we don't leave that air when we walk into a worship service on Sundays. So not acknowledging secular holidays (holy-days) is a difficult task, and one likely to be met with lots of resistance in the parish. Trust me, I know. I've lived that resistance for decades. Like most other pastors, I've insisted that the Christian liturgy is reserved for Christian holy days. We have a Christian calendar that follows the life, death and resurrection of Jesus (including Jesus' continued life in his Church), thus introducing a secular celebration into the calendar can only confuse the congregation and befuddle the Sunday liturgy.
What to do, for example, around July 4th is never a simple thing. Do we allow the American flag to be prominently displayed -- when that flag represents so much death and suffering to so many eyes in the world? See, not an easy question. But imagine refusing to allow that flag into the worship service space at some point. Pastors fret over this more often that folks in the pews may realize.
Davis gives us some humble, and even humorous, theological reflections that gave me a new insight into these secular holidays -- reflections that connect solid theology with American public life. I particularly loved his theological reflections on Thanksgiving -- and the ethical implications for a spirituality of gratitude -- as well as the two chapters on Christmas (reflections on infertility and adoption that gave new directions to preachers who want to look at that holiday with fresh eyes).
In the end, American Liturgy was a joy to read, and a book that all pastors should consider.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.