There are many “thou shalt nots” in the Bible, as we are often uncomfortably reminded. But God is not just about “don’ts.” One thing He emphatically wants His people to do is celebrate.
14 “Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. 15 First, celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt. No one may appear before me without an offering.
16 “Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest.
“Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields. Exodus 23:14-17 NLT
Three times a year, early spring, late spring, and fall, the Israelites were commanded stop what they were doing and celebrate God, remembering the past and acknowledging the present and future. Everyone was included. No one was left out. Imagine! An entire nation regularly and intentionally celebrating God’s amazing goodness – together!
“People of our time are losing the power of celebration.
Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained.
Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing reverence or appreciation.
To be entertained is a passive state–
it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle….
Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one’s actions.
Abraham Joshua Heschel
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.”
Zephaniah 3:17 Contemporary English Version
So, we look back and remember …
We look around and see God’s continuing provision …
Who can forget the wonders he performs—deeds of mercy and of grace? He gives food to those who trust him; he never forgets his promises. Psalm 111:4-5 Living Bible
Celebration ‘is the completion of worship,
for it dwells on the greatness of God as shown in His goodness to us.’
D. Willard
