LET’S CELEBRATE!
Greetings church family!
Over the last month, we have journeyed through a study of the book of Esther. So many wonderful themes are found in this book - including courage, justice, and divine intervention. These themes come alive in God’s deliverance of the Jews from annihilation by the hands of the Persians. To commemorate this turning point in their history, the Jews celebrate the Purim holiday.
On this day, Jewish people celebrate their deliverance in four ways. First, there is a public reading of the book Esther. This reading takes place twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. During the reading, people respond with cheers at the mention of Esther and Mordecai, and with boos or with noisemakers at the mention of Haman. Second, the Jewish people are encouraged to send gifts of food to friends and neighbors. This fosters unity and community. Third, the Jewish people are also encouraged to give gifts of food or money to at least two people in need.
Finally, they hold a lavish feast, usually accompanied with singing. Other customs include wearing costumes to symbolize the hidden nature of their deliverance miracle, and engaging in plays or skits known as Purim spiels.
Church family, it is so important to remind ourselves that celebration is not a peripheral activity in Scripture—it’s at the heart of God's relationship with His people. God did not create us solely for a life of solemnity; He designed us to rejoice, to feast, to dance, to sing, and to celebrate His goodness! From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with festivals, songs, communal feasts, and declarations of joy. Celebration is not just about feeling good—it’s a deeply spiritual act that reminds us of who God is, what He has done, and what He promises to do.
In the Old Testament, the Israelite calendar was full of holy days of rejoicing, such as Passover, the Feast of the Tabernacles, the Feast of Weeks, and more. These holidays were divine appointments—times when God’s people would pause from their work, gather together, and remember God’s faithfulness through storytelling, music, food, and worship. God's people were not only allowed to celebrate—they were commanded to do so, because “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
In the New Testament, Jesus' first recorded miracle took place at a celebration - a wedding celebration to be exact. This wasn’t an emergency; it was a moment of hospitality, joy, and social connection. Jesus chose to reveal His glory in the context of celebration. The early church continued the practice of celebration. Acts 2:46-47a says, “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”
So, let’s practice gratitude, celebrate the small victories of life, share meals with others, and participate in singing and dancing and praising the Lord. As we do so, these acts of celebration will remind us of God’s faithfulness, they will build community, they will help us to resist despair, and they foreshadow His coming kingdom!
Celebrate the truth that God is for us, God is with us, and God loves us!
Blessings everyone!
Pastor Chris
