Christianity is a Celebration
Shereen's grandmother used to love to say "this calls for a celebration!" She would say it often. And we would celebrate.
It occurs to me that every time we come to church, we should be coming saying "this calls for a celebration!"
Because you see, the Bible is actually full of celebrating. It's a serious book, of course, but it's a joyful book of celebration!
The Bible: A Book of Celebration
Back in Exodus, when Moses leads the Israelites across the Red Sea, freeing them from slavery, God calls the people to celebrate festivals the in His honour. Even the Sabbath, in the Old Testament, was not just to be observed, but celebrated.
The Israelites were an emotional people - they lamented, yes, when things were tough, but they also celebrated a lot! Military victories were a cause for celebration, weekly Sabbaths and yearly festivals were causes for celebration.
Jesus too, was a man who seemed to enjoy a celebration. In His own words - heaven celebrates when a lost person is saved and brought into the kingdom of God! His parables often included pictures of celebrating - think of His parable of the lost sheep, and how the man celebrated when he found his sheep; or the parable of the prodigal son, where the father celebrated when his son came home.
Jesus was thought of as a glutton and a drunkard - He wasn't, of course, but He was obviously thought of that way because He spent time with people who loved a celebration.
Bookended by Joy
You might even say that the Bible is bookended with celebration. Right at the beginning of Genesis, God created the world, and called it good. I think God said that with a shout of celebration! His world was created and He was overjoyed, I am sure. Right at the end of the Bible as well, there is celebration - evil being defeated, the saints of God sing in great joy and celebration at the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Psalm after Psalm celebrates the goodness and wonder of God. It's the central theme of the Psalms, really.
Consider your own faith - your own walk with Jesus. Is it defined by celebration? Do you see your faith as a celebratory thing? Or just as a ritual, a habit, an ethical system?
Perhaps today, God is wanting to remind us that the Christian life is a celebratory one! You're watching or reading this, I am sure, because you are a person of God, a Christian. Do you celebrate that?
It's not just weddings and funerals, but church services and events, and even your own quiet time - that are causes for celebration.
May your day be filled with celebration in His name today.
The Christian faith is not a mere ritual or ethical system but a life of genuine, joyful celebration. Take a moment today to ask yourself whether you are truly celebrating your faith, and then enter your day with that spirit of joy.