The English word holiday, of course, is a combination of the English words holy day. Most holidays originated as “holy days”—days set apart for sacred purposes. In time, holy days morphed into holidays, and the root meanings of the celebrations became, all too often, lost in the shuffle.

The holidays are around the corner, looming large as November and December approach. As the weeks unfold, ViewPoint will give you some fresh perspective on the celebration of these “holy days,” bringing new life and meaning to what can sometimes become an exhausting year’s end.

First, Jennifer Wilson joins host Jim Lyon to talk about gifts. How do we prepare for the giving and receiving of gifts? Why is gift-giving even a part of the holiday tradition? Is there a way to be blessed by the whole gift-giving routine instead of being burdened by it? These ViewPoint programs early in November will be just in time to rescue you from the Christmas rush.

Next up, our ViewPoint team (including cohosts Jennifer Wilson, Kimberly Majeski, Obadiah Smith, and Jim Lyon) will celebrate Thanksgiving with a meal on-air as the heart of this original American “holy day” is explored and honored. Pull up a chair and enjoy.

Obadiah Smith and Jim Lyon will lead ViewPoint on a world tour in December, highlighting the global appeal of Christmas and marking celebrations in different cultures and countries. Obadiah’s work with relief ministries worldwide (from responding to the Indian Ocean tsunami to the Myanmar cyclone to disasters of many other kinds) will bring a unique perspective to this embrace of one of Christianity’s best-loved “holy days,” focusing on the New Testament record of the Lord’s birth.

In all of these holiday programs, Scripture provides the lens through which we look and learn; in all of these holidays, ViewPoint will help you see your world from Heaven’s view. That’s our viewpoint, as Christians, broadcasting hope.

So, stay tuned. There’s more in store than just turkey and the trimmings, trees and lights. The rich legacy of these “holy days” is coming into view.