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3 Ways to Observe Stir Up Sunday

November 20, 2020 by Lauren 38 Comments

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

‘’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

 

  1.  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.
  2. 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.  
  3. 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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Filed Under: Bible reading, Christian, Christmas, Faith, faithfulness, Grace & Truth Link Up, Jesus, love, thanksgiving, worship Tagged With: Christmas pudding

Comments

  1. April J Harris says

    November 20, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 20, 2020 at 9:39 pm

      April, thank you so much for educating me!

      Reply
  2. Donna says

    November 20, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 20, 2020 at 9:37 pm

      It was so fun for me to learn about, Donna!

      Reply
  3. Kathrine Eldridge says

    November 20, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 20, 2020 at 9:37 pm

      I think so too, Katherine. Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Patti says

    November 20, 2020 at 5:49 pm

    Oh my goodness! This is an excellent post. Thank you for helping us focus on the really important things during this season, Lauren.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 20, 2020 at 9:36 pm

      Thank you so much, Patti!

      Reply
  5. sue says

    November 20, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    Great tradition – shared on facebook!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 20, 2020 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks so much, Sue!

      Reply
  6. Shelbee on the Edge says

    November 21, 2020 at 7:47 am

    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

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 21, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      I’m so glad you found it interesting too, Shelbee.

      Reply
  7. Jill says

    November 21, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    I’ve never heard of stir up Sunday but love the concept of it! Thank you for the inspiration!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 22, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      Same here, Jill! Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  8. Donna Reidland says

    November 21, 2020 at 11:15 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 22, 2020 at 4:59 pm

      I’m with you, Donna!

      Reply
  9. Jeanne Takenaka says

    November 22, 2020 at 8:26 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 23, 2020 at 12:32 pm

      Thanks, Jeanne. I need to remember these things as well.

      Reply
  10. Jerralea says

    November 23, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    Lauren this is a great post. I love the idea of Stir Up Sunday! Time to get creative!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 23, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you, Jerralea! Mix it up!

      Reply
  11. Heather says

    November 23, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    Thank you for stopping over to say hi. I haven’t heard of Stir it up Sunday before either. Thanks f or sharing!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 23, 2020 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you for returning the visit, Heather!

      Reply
  12. Lisa notes says

    November 23, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 24, 2020 at 11:34 am

      Same to you, Lisa!

      Reply
  13. Anita Ojeda says

    November 24, 2020 at 11:30 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 24, 2020 at 11:34 am

      I love that idea, Anita!

      Reply
  14. Marielle says

    November 25, 2020 at 12:54 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 26, 2020 at 5:51 pm

      I just learned about it oo. Thank you, Marielle. And happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  15. Jennifer Smith says

    November 25, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    I’ve never once heard of Stir Up Sunday. So interesting – and I love your suggestions!!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 26, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      I just learned about it too. Thank you, Jennifer.

      Reply
  16. Lynn says

    November 26, 2020 at 9:06 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 26, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      Thank you, Lynn. So glad you found it helpful. And I so appreciate you letting me know.

      Reply
  17. Michele Morin says

    November 26, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    What a wonderful tradition to intentionally stir up our hearrhearts for a true celebration of Advent.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 27, 2020 at 7:44 pm

      I need the hope of Advent now more than ever, Michele.

      Reply
  18. beth says

    November 27, 2020 at 3:39 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 27, 2020 at 7:44 pm

      Thank you, Beth!

      Reply
  19. nylse says

    November 27, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 27, 2020 at 7:43 pm

      Oh, it makes much more sense with the alcohol!

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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