December 2024 Blog Post by Pastor Bec

Did you know that celebration is a spiritual discipline? (Or spiritual exercise.)
This is one of the practices from the Bible which God expects us to engage in on a regular basis. These spiritual practices strengthen us and help us to grow closer to God and others. We slowly become more like Jesus. Why might we want to become more like Jesus? Because this is where the most love, joy, and peace are found. (Three of the nine pieces of fruit of the Holy Spirit. Can you name the other six? Galatians 5:22))

Jesus certainly practiced celebration as He regularly participated in the Jewish festivals appointed by God. There were 7 of them. (Hmm… same number of Days of Creation.) That’s a lot of celebrating.

In this holiday season, we have many opportunities to enjoy celebrating God, each other, family, friends and all that goes along with it. Just as God the Father set aside the 7th day of Creation for rest as a model for us, so it is that He sets aside times of celebration for our refreshment and renewal as well. To gather with family and friends and step out of the grind of daily work and obligations is to experience life in abundance. (John 10:10) Webster defines it as “refraining from ordinary business.” I recently realized the importance of refraining from ordinary business.

As some of you may know, I wasn’t sure I would be able to host our annual family Thanksgiving celebration this year due to health challenges. But as the day approached, I saw that this would happen. I love Thanksgiving because it’s all about gratitude, obviously, but is also a late-in-the-year holiday which doesn’t require much more than good food and fellowship.

On the big day itself, you will smell tantalizing whiffs of sausage and onions sautéing. You’ll hear sounds from the annual Macy’s Day Parade marching by. Later on, you might hear the National Dog Show, (with our “uncle” John Hurley – my maiden name is Turley – co hosting), and smell the succulent, stuffed, 24-lb turkey roasting in the oven. By the time everyone arrives in the late afternoon with their side dishes and desserts, we are ready to commence celebrating.

As I looked forward to this special day, I realized this was a celebration, and we would be practicing this spiritual discipline in real time. I realized that in wading through serious struggles, I could now enjoy celebration that much more. I realized it is a great gift to have people in your life who love you. It is a privilege to share life with others.

I realized that life requires celebration! This is actually a core aspect of spirituality. If you think about it, we spend a lot of time working, and doing. We also go through seasons of struggle. The sheer relief of setting aside times to celebrate brings us much needed joy and rest. (After all the prep, of course.)

To look at the faces gathered around our table is to bask in the gift of the Father’s love through His greatest creation – people. To make time to be truly present at a special meal is to unwrap a great gift – the gift of time.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for…” (Hebrews 11:1); “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” (John 14:27); “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down His life for His friends.” (John 15:13); “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him…” (Romans 15:13)

Because of the hope, peace, love and joy which Christ brings into our lives, we have plenty to celebrate!

As Kool & the Gang sang a few decades ago:
“Celebrate good times, come on. Let’s celebrate!”