2 hats for the 2nd podcast of Lent

Hannah got more than she asked for

Girls' Day, an annual Japanese celebration to wish the healthy development & happiness of girls
Doll's Day or Hinamatsuri / Japanese Girls' Day
3/3/22
Happy Birthday Florida (statehood 177 yrs ago) March 3, 1845 the 27th state

Families display a set of HINA dolls in the house and serve special food delicacies that are ceremonially beautiful and delicious.
Hina Dolls
Traditionally, parents or grandparents of a newborn girl buy a set of hina dolls for the baby, unless they have special dolls that are inherited from generation to generation.
From the end of February to March 3, hina dolls dressed in Japanese ancient costumes are displayed on tiered platforms that are covered with a red carpet. The costumed dolls represent the imperial court of the Heian period (A.D. 794 to 1185) and feature the emperor, empress, attendants, and musicians dressed in traditional garb.
The dolls are displayed hierarchically with the emperor and empress at the top, which are set in front of a gilded screen representing the throne. The number of dolls and their size vary from home to home, but five to seven platforms are common.
It is customary to put the dolls away as soon as the festival is over—there is a superstition that if the dolls are left out, a family will have trouble marrying off their daughters. After the festival, some people release paper dolls into the rivers praying that this will send away sickness and bad fortune.
Traditional Food
As with almost all holidays, food and drink play a role on Girls' Day, with rice wine, rice cakes and pink pillows of mochi taking center stage, along with flower blossoms.
History of the Event
The displaying of Hina dolls began in the early 1600s as a way to ward off evil spirits. It was thought that the dolls would act as good luck charms.
The origin of Hinamatsuri most likely dates back to an ancient Chinese practice in which the sin of the body and misfortune are transferred to a doll and then removed by abandoning the doll on a river and have it float away.
This custom in which people float paper dolls down rivers late in the afternoon of March 3, still exists in various areas.
On May 5, Japanese people celebrate the health and happiness for boys. (Children’s Day).
On that day the families with boys raise carp-shaped flags to express hope that their boys will grow up healthy and strong
In Japan the carp is thought to be a symbol of strength, courage and success because of a Chinese legend that a carp swam upstream and became a dragon
Besides the carp streamers, it's also a typical celebration to decorate the armor, helmet, sword or warrior doll (May dolls) at house with boys


Walk Thru Thurs for March 3, 2022

1 Samuel 2: 7-8
Song of Hannah

7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
on them he has set the world.

repeated in:

Psalm 113:7-8
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
8 he seats them with princes,
with the princes of his people.

1 Samuel 2
Song of Hannah
Hannah’s Prayer
2 Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn[a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10 those who oppose the LORD will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

The Holy Spirit guides us and the Holy Spirit guides people to us.
#croakandcrow #spencercartier #americanspeakers
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.