The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out (25 page)

8. Why do you think Josh and Edesa chose Colossians 3:12–14 for their wedding scripture? In what way might these verses rearrange our priorities as women?

9. Jodi decides the unpolished Christmas play at the Manna House shelter and its cast of Katrina evacuees and down-on-their-luck residents is actually very appropriate. Today's version of the Christmas story (complete with music and candlelight and glittering decorations) shields us from its poverty-stricken setting and common characters: an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, a hurry-up wedding, a travel-weary couple without room reservations, a destitute baby born in a barn. If the Son of God were born
today,
what might be the equivalent for the town of Bethlehem? . . . the stable? . . . the shepherds who got the first announcement? (Who would believe and come running?)

10. In a way, the story of Hakim and Jodi provides “bookends” to the Yada Yada series. Why do you think Hakim responded to the invitation to make this truly “Freedom's Eve”? What did this mean for Jodi? For Hakim's mother?

11. How do you usually celebrate New Year's Eve? How might you add meaning to this holiday with ideas from this novel?

12. In your journey with the Yada Yada Prayer Group, what has meant the most to you? What have you learned about prayer? . . . about worship? . . . about the “other” members of the body of Christ who are different from yourself?

Celebrate!

If you're like Jodi Baxter (it's a little scary how many other “Jodies” are out there!), it probably feels as if you've barely recovered from the last holiday season—paid the bills . . . put away the decorations . . . discovered the forgotten wrapping paper still under the bed—when the holidays loom large on the calendar again.

Hopefully it won't take a sprained ankle to slow you down long enough to think about how you want to celebrate the holiday sea-son this year.

Of course, if you want fancy decorating tips, last-minute gift ideas, or tantalizing menus for a seven-course meal, feel free to pick up one of the slick women's magazines at the grocery store checkout, take a few guilt trips that you're not doing enough . . . then go back to “doing the holidays” the same old way.

But if you'd like a few tips on celebrating the holiday season “the Yada Yada Way,” sit tight and take a bite!

Celebrate Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving!
Giving thanks
. . . that's what this holiday is about. Families getting together. And food, of course. Lots and lots of food. Most every family has their favorite foods and recipes, from the traditional turkey (
and
ham
and
macaroni and cheese, staples at most African-American Thanksgiving tables) to pumpkin pie (or sweet potato pie). But before you dive in, it's worth taking a few minutes to reflect on the historical aspects of this day.

Reflect

The following account of the “First Thanksgiving” in the New World provides a meaningful context. However, the Native American corn mentioned here was not popcorn, nor would it have been very suitable for eating on the cob. It was primarily ground for meal.

Our [wheat] did prove well, and God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn, and our barley indifferent good, but our peas not worth the gathering, for we feared they were too late sown. They came up very well, and blossomed, but the sun parched them in the blossom. Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men [out] fowling, . . . so we might . . . rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors.

They . . . in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, . . . many of the Indians [came] amongst us, [including] their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted. And they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others.

And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.
¹

It's also worth noting that a “thanksgiving day” is not a uniquely American holiday. Here are some other countries that have also set aside days to give thanks.

Other Countries' Days of Thanksgiving Celebrations

Brazil
,
Dia Nacional de Acao de Gracas
, fourth Thursday of November.

British Isles
, Lammas Day, a harvest festival.

Canada
, Thanksgiving Day or
Fete de Grace
, or Harvest Home Festival, second Monday in October.

Germany
,
Erntedankfest
, first Sunday in October.

Israel
,
Sukkot
, Feast of Booths, the fifth day after Yom Kippur.

Japan
, Labor Thanksgiving Day, November 23.

Korea
,
Chusok
, fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month of the traditional Korean calendar.

Liberia
, Thanksgiving Day, first Thursday in November.

Mexico
, Independence Day, September 16.