‘’Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord’’.
Have you heard of Stir Up Sunday? It’s not something we celebrate in America, but my blogger friend April introduced me to it here. I couldn’t find any information about how long this day has been observed in the UK, but it comes from the beginning collect from the Book of Common Prayer, which dates back to 1549 (quoted above). Stir Up Sunday occurs every year on the last Sunday before Advent, which puts it on November 22 this year.
Some time during the 1700’s, this day became synonymous with the day British households make their Christma puddings. According to April and the powers that be at Wikipedia, a Christmas pudding needs time to age to flavor perfection. And four weeks is just about the right amount of time. Now I have some soup recipes that are better on the second day after all the spices and flavors meld, but I cannot imagine making anything that I would eat four weeks later. No offense to the English. I love a good tradition, but I will pass on the Christmas pudding.
I do, however, appreciate the original intent of Stir Up Sunday – to prepare our hearts for Advent and allow God to “stir our hearts” to focus on the season and all it entails. So I’m starting a new tradition and adopting the practice of Stir Up Sunday. But without the pudding.
3 Ways to Observe Stir Up Sunday
- Remember Jesus. And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 2 Peter 1:13 ASV If you aren’t already, get in the Word. Read through the gospels. Pick an Advent Bible reading plan. The gals at shereadstruth.com have a great one every year. There are multiple free ones on the YouVersion app, or kick it old-school and browse a bookstore. Listen to praise music, start a new prayer journaling practice, anything that will “stir up” and shake up your normal routine and make you more mindful of our Savior.
- Love Others with Words and Actions. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV In Jesus, we have the hope the world needs. Brainstorm ways you can share that hope this season. Help provide a Thanksgiving dinner to a family in need. Serve at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Invite your neighbors to church. Donate toys to an organization that serves the underprivileged at Christmas. Invite the new girl at work to lunch. These are just a jumping off point. Come up with your own creative and thoughtful ways to throw love around with abandon and encourage another to do the same! You will feel God’s pleasure in the process.
- Make Disciples. And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. Acts 19:23 ASV The early verses of Acts 19 give us background on this verse. For two years Jesus’ followers had been preaching and prophesying, baptizing, healing and performing miracles. Because of their faithful work, many confessed, believed and professed Jesus as Lord. And verse 20 says, So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed. Who in your circle of influence needs to hear about Jesus?
What ideas do you have for observing Stir Up Sunday? I would love you to share in the comments. And get out there and stir it up, mix it up and shake it up! You can even make a pudding if you want.
And now for this week’s featured post!
I was so encouraged and personally motivated by A Thread of Unity by Nylse of lifenotesencouragement.com. I love how she looked to her history (and honored her mother) for direction for her future. And I want to answer, “yes”! I can you be strong as thread, weaving hope and unity wherever I go?
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Lauren, Thank you so much for sharing my Stir Up Sunday post. I’m so glad you featured this ancient tradition at the Grace and Truth Link Up! I really like the ways you suggest to mark it too. There is much more to the tradition than just the Christmas pudding and the things you suggest are needed more than ever in these troubled times!
April, thank you so much for educating me!
Lauren, I love the idea of Stir Up Sunday! Thank you for sharing about its origins and tips for starting up a new tradition this year!
It was so fun for me to learn about, Donna!
I love this idea for Sunday! We need to all of these things more than ever with this pandemic. Thanks for the inspiration!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I think so too, Katherine. Thank you.
Oh my goodness! This is an excellent post. Thank you for helping us focus on the really important things during this season, Lauren.
Thank you so much, Patti!
Great tradition – shared on facebook!
Thanks so much, Sue!
I have never heard of Stir Up Sunday either. That was super interesting to learn about! And I love how you have embraced it minus the 4 week old Christmas pudding! Thanks for linking with me, my friend!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I’m so glad you found it interesting too, Shelbee.
I’ve never heard of stir up Sunday but love the concept of it! Thank you for the inspiration!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Same here, Jill! Thanks for visiting.
I love this, Lauren! I enjoyed April’s post, as well. But I’m afraid I’m with you on the 4 week old pudding. Hope you still love me, April!
I’m with you, Donna!
Lauren, I’m with you . . . I don’t think I could stomach something that had to wait four week to be eaten. 😉 That said, I love your other suggestions for honoring “Stir It Up Sunday.” I spend time regularly in God’s word, but I confess, lately, I’ve gotten busy and the uncertain days distract me from meditating on the things I read that morning. I need to be more intentional to remember Jesus throughout each day.
Great post!
Thanks, Jeanne. I need to remember these things as well.
Lauren this is a great post. I love the idea of Stir Up Sunday! Time to get creative!
Thank you, Jerralea! Mix it up!
Thank you for stopping over to say hi. I haven’t heard of Stir it up Sunday before either. Thanks f or sharing!
Thank you for returning the visit, Heather!
I love learning about new holidays and traditions! Stir Up Sunday is definitely a new one to me, but I love all the many ways it could be applied. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving this week, Lauren!
Same to you, Lisa!
I’ve never heard of Stir-up Sunday before! Nor can I imagine eating four-week-old pudding–there must be some sort of alcohol in there to preserve it! Hummm, I’d have to think a bit about what I would do on that day–maybe a service day to help neighbors out?
I love that idea, Anita!
I haven’t heard of Stir Up Sunday before, but I love the idea of preparing ourselves like this. Thank you for these suggestions as well. What great ideas to keep us focused on the Lord. Thanks for sharing. Have a great rest of your week Lauren!
I just learned about it oo. Thank you, Marielle. And happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve never once heard of Stir Up Sunday. So interesting – and I love your suggestions!!
I just learned about it too. Thank you, Jennifer.
I enjoyed this a lot. Stir up Sundays to stir up our hearts. With our current circumstances I can focus on my needs too much. So your words about loving others with our actions grounded me today. Thank you!
Thank you, Lynn. So glad you found it helpful. And I so appreciate you letting me know.
What a wonderful tradition to intentionally stir up our hearrhearts for a true celebration of Advent.
I need the hope of Advent now more than ever, Michele.
I love the way you connected that tradition with Spiritual truth. We skipped stir up Sunday as someone had already offered to make our Christmas pudding for us.
Thank you, Beth!
Christmas pudding is what we call Black cake and yes it has in copious amounts of alcohol which acts as a preservative. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. The longer it sits the better it is and traditionally the fruits are soaked all year in port and rum.
Now, I’ve never heard of stir it up Sunday, but I’ve always liked the phrase stir it up!
Oh, it makes much more sense with the alcohol!