Today Michael and I are celebrating our two year anniversary! If I'd realized the fairy tale that I was walking into as I walked down the aisle, I wouldn't have been nervous at all! It has been a year of blessings! We have both been successful at work, we have bought a house, and I am in my last year of college! (Oh, and we also have a new dog that we
The act of celebration is something that God created for mankind to enjoy. Is there a better way to thank God for the blessings He has given us than by throwing a party to show everyone our joy? I believe that God enjoys our celebration just as much as we do. I also believe that celebration is just as important as other Christian disciplines like prayer and reading Scripture. Here's why:
- God created celebration for the Jews. Multiple times a year Jews gathered together to celebrate The Passover, Pentecost, and the festival of Tabernacles. God asked His people to celebrate these holidays, plus the Sabbath once a year. There were also four other holidays that God created for the Israelites as an opportunity to celebrate.
- We all know that offerings were used for atonement for sin, but there were different kinds of offerings as well. Sin offerings were called expiatory offerings, but there were also consecratory offerings and communal offerings. Consecratory offerings dedicated a person or thing to God (like a baby dedication ceremony) and communal offerings often were given in thanksgiving. My favorite type of offering that I've read about is called a votive offering. These offerings were made after a person endured a trial. At the end of their trial, they would invite all of their friends over to have a giant party to celebrate God's faithfulness through the trial.
I'm not suggesting that we should follow Jewish customs, because we are in fact not Jewish. One of the reasons the world needed Christ to save us was because Jewish leaders had become so obsessed with the law that they forgot about the heart of the Creator behind it. However, I am suggesting that we are intentional about celebration. Anniversaries are a prime example of a need to celebrate. We are celebrating the fact that God gave us our "special someone" while others are still waiting. (This is something I personally celebrate regularly because there aren't many people today who marry at 21 and stay married.) We are celebrating our promise to one another and to God. We are celebrating the provisions that God has given us, plus all of the extras. We are celebrating another year of happiness.
Celebration is important because it stems out of a heart of thankfulness. We celebrate Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all because we are thankful for something. The holidays exist so that we never forget something important to us. Celebration is the ultimate praise to God!
Psalm 150:6 reads "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Romans 14:6 reads "Those who regard one day as special do so to the Lord." After the prodigal son returned home, his father threw a feast. Luke 15:7 speaks of the rejoicing in Heaven that occurs when a sinner repents. Jesus' first miracle occurred at a wedding. The fact is, celebration is embraced throughout Scripture. God wants us to celebrate! He wants us to throw a big party to tell everyone about the blessings we have experienced! The more you celebrate, the more you thankful you will become. Celebration is basically public praise to God. Celebrate openly! Celebrate small things and big things! Celebrate medical tests coming back negative, celebrate the end of the school year, celebrate your dog's birthday! I guarantee you that if you celebrate more, you will find a renewed joy in your life.
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