It was fifty years ago this week that I made a theological faux pas. I wished Prof. John Murray a Happy Easter.
John Murray was a Scot. He was also a Presbyterian. As with so many Scottish Presbyterians throughout the ages, he did not celebrate Christmas or Easter.
Calvinistic Scots did not honor the Anglican church calendar, or any other church's calendar. For them, there were six days of work and one day of rest. Period. No muss, no fuss.
I was coming into the main classroom building at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. I think this was on Good Friday. It was Good Friday for students: we would get a week off.
Mr. Murray was walking out of the building. Instinctively, I said, "Happy Easter, Mr. Murray." He said nothing, and moved on.
He was normally a pleasant man, except (1) when handing back corrected exams, and (2) when someone wished him "Happy Easter." Possibly, there was a third exception: When someone wished him "Merry Christmas."
I am not sure about "Happy New Year," but probably it would have been wise to avoid this.
Anyway, I wish you a Happy Easter. It's Good Friday.
As for vacations, I don't celebrate them. There will be no Easter vacation for me.
© 2022 GaryNorth.com, Inc., 2005-2021 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission prohibited.