Well of course, being a Giants fan living in New England as the two teams play, this is on my mind. Factor in my role at the Sunday night evening service brings another thought or two. (“Did God say we had to worship every Sunday?” Do we not cancel for exceptions like inclimate weather, this seems like an another example ;)

The Super Bowl is interesting on so many levels. It’s an invented holiday, meaning at some point, American society had to be convinced that they needed to celebrate this day, even if you had no interest in the NFL. From the two week build-up, to the commercials, the halftime show, to the actual game itself, it’s hard to deny it “holiday” status. In fact, second to Thanksgiving, it’s the highest holiday of food consumption of the year – 30 million pounds of food will be consumed!

So a few words of reminder to my Christian brothers and sisters regardless of which team you are cheering for.

1. We all know that it’s just a game but it’s a really, really fun one so let’s be kind and generous with each other at our parties, on Facebook and on the Twitterverse.

For non-football fans, it would be helpful if you saw this similar to a conclusion of a very long movie. Many of us football fans have watched all season to see the conclusion. The conclusion is usually only celebrated by a few of us but most of us not only like closure but the end of this season will mean a new season can begin. And as we learn every season, few things went the way we thought they would. This unpredictability is part of why football is so exciting.

2. Win or lose, it doesn’t actually involve your identity. True fans like to think it does but it really doesn’t.

Some may tell you that I’m not a true sports fan because I do not actually go into depression when my team loses. Further, in real life, I don’t actually hate the players of my rival teams. This is all just fun and the added language of “Brady sucks” is in the tone of brotherly love, not actually anything against the guy. The fact that he’s good is what adds the fun.

My favorite part of sports rivalries is that you get to argue about things that don’t actually matter. It’s not like arguing politics, theology, global issues or things involving our loved ones. Again, this is supposed to be fun.

Of course it all depends on what happens in the game but in short, if the Patriots win, I’ll be bummed for a little bit. I’ll try to be a good sport when the Pats fans mock me and I’ll avoid biting their fingers when they stick it in my face (I guess that came to mind because I have a 2 and 3 yr. old in the house but I digress).

If we win, I’ll be happy and excited but a short while later, I’ll be back in the real world. I’ll try to be a good sport and not mock the Pats fans and I’ll avoid sticking my finger in their face, while shouting “Eli the Elite!”

But win or lose, let’s not allow either experience to get the best of us.

3. For the Christian, in the big picture, win or lose, it’s Sunday. Its the day where the Church gathers together and says, “Christ is Risen … He’s risen indeed.” Let’s never forget this.

Best of luck to both teams – see you around.