Let's Celebrate! Does Christianity have to be grim and cheerless? Should unbelievers have all the fun? Does God disapprove of merrymaking? Is the only way to celebrate with wild parties and horrid hangovers? Quite the contrary. Christians have ample reason to enjoy life, as James hints when he urges us to sing songs of praise when happy (James 5: 13). Likewise, Paul says (twice) to be glad that you belong to the Lord (Phil. 3:1, 4:4). Even Jesus challenges a too-somber attitude. To be sure, he was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering (Isa 53:3). Yet his enemies said, That man eats and drinks too much! (Matt 11:19). He enlivened a wedding with a gift of wine (John 2:1-12) and attended a big dinner with a converted tax collector and his friends (Luke 5:27-39). We might also note that the Bible opens in celebration. God creates the world and then sets aside an entire day to commemorate what he has done (Gen. 2:1-3). In fact, he tells his people to follow that pattern weekly and annually (Exo 20:8-11; Lev 23:1-44). At the other end of Scripture, we find a wedding-like celebration in heaven as God removes all pain and suffering (Rev. 19:1-10). Hallelujah! How, then, can we cultivate celebration and joy on earth, here and now? Scripture encourages us to be the joyous people of God who have hope. Weddings Weddings are a cause for celebration because the one flesh union of a man and a woman reflects Gods image on earth. The Song of Songs is an entire love poem that celebrates this theme. Concerts and Artfests Major events or accomplishments call for celebration in song, dance, poetry and other arts. Scripture memorializes the victory or work of God among his people in numerous songs, such as those of Deborah (Judges 5), Hannah (I Sam 2:1-10), David (Psalm 18), and Mary (Luke 1:46-55). We do not have the words to the songs of Jephthahs daughter (Judges 11:34), Davids followers (I Sam 18:6-7), or Paul and Silas (Act 16:25-26), but their songs of deliverance set a joyous pattern for us to follow. Harvest Celebrations Israels agricultural economy revolved around the time of harvest, which it celebrated by honoring God in songs of joy and parading samples of produce (Psalm 126:5,6; Isa 9:3). Other festivals included the weeklong festivals of Thin Bread, Pentecost, and Shelters (Ex 23: 16; Lev 23; Num 28,29; Deut 16:9-17). The Sabbath year festival, held every seven years (Lev 25:1-7), and the Jubilee celebrations, held every fiftieth year (Lev 25:8-55), linked the nations worship and celebration with social legislation. Sabbath Having finished his work, God established one day each week to remind his people that all of creation belongs to him, that work is not endless, and that his people must depend on him (Gen 2:1-3, Ex. 20:8-11). Early Christians moved their weekly observance to the first day of the week to commemorate Resurrection Day or the Lords Day (Rev 1:10), the day on which Jesus proved that he was Lord over the Sabbath (Matt 12:1-14) by rising from the dead. As was the Sabbath, the Lords Day is a time for worship, celebration, rest, and renewal. Unfortunately, both in Jesus day and our own, the joy of the day has too often been lost under layers of legalistic rules and restrictions, making it more of a burden than a delight. But Jesus declared, the Sabbath was made for the good of people (Matt 2:27). Special Occasions Scripture records a variety of occasions that called for special, unannounced celebrations, such as escape from captivity (Psalm 126:1-3), conversion from sin (Acts 2:40-47; 16:25-34), and miraculous rescue (Ex 14:3015:21). On occasions like these we need to pause to enjoy Gods good gift, and to give thanks for what he has done in our lives.		:: The Value of Fasting :: Give God Your Best :: Let's Celebrate :: Sacred Space :: Why You Should Attend Church :: Regular Worship