How to Celebrate
What is Celebration?
Celebration is the active and communal response to acknowledging God’s goodness in our lives and in the lives of others.
Why Celebrate?
Throughout the Bible, God’s people are reminded through feasts and holidays they are His people who are invited to the table, not merely slaves or servants. Celebrating together reminds us who we are in Christ.
Gladness and celebration are God's gift to humanity. From creation onward, God expressed pleasure for things that are good and asks we do the same.
Celebrations commemorate God's presence and His provision for the whole community.
Celebration brings benefits to participants, providing respite from work for people and nature.
Celebrations that point to God do a special work of tying families and communities together.
Celebrating together removes barriers between race, gender, age, and socio-economic status.
Bible Reference
Numbers 9: 1-5, 14
The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, “Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations.”So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, and they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses…
“‘A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the Lord’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.’”
Tips for Celebration
Invite others into the celebration: All good celebrations happen in community, not in isolation. Invite friends, family, neighbors, kids, and even strangers to the party! And make sure everyone has a seat at the table.
Be an active and attentive participant: Don’t be a passive spectator when others are celebrating. Get involved and be a part of what’s happening. Be engaged, attentive, and active in the celebrating.
Plan and prepare: We can see in the Old Testament that God was very concerned about the planning and preparation of the festivals. He goes through great lengths to describe in detail how the festivals should be done. While there’s a time and place for spontaneity, do the work of preparing a great celebration.
Eat together: Almost all festivals and celebrations in the Bible included a meal. Food is the great equalizer, so make sure when you gather, it’s around a good meal that’s available to all.
Make a habit of celebrating: When God commanded His people to remember through celebration, it wasn’t a one-time affair. He knew that to always remember what He did for them, it had to be a regular rhythm. When appropriate, make the celebration of something a repeated occurrence.
Point everything back to God’s goodness: The whole point of Christian celebration is to remember what God has done and give thanks. Never forget why it’s important for us to celebrate in the first place.
Relax and have fun: How great is it that God commands us to have a good time and enjoy celebrating? If you aren’t having fun, you probably aren’t doing it right. So at the end of the day, just relax, enjoy yourself and take in the goodness of God!
Books on Celebration
Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster
The Gospel Comes with a House Key - Rosaria Butterfield
Everybody Always - Bob Goff