Should I Celebrate?

​Should followers of Jesus and believers of God’s Holy Scriptures celebrate Christmas?  Sometimes I wonder.  Should we celebrate December 25 as a special day? This week, my devotional reading brought me to a very convincing observation.

​The Journey to the Manger, is a 25-Day Advent Guide from InTouch Ministries.  My sister and I are following it together using the YouVersion Bible App.  The writers addressed this very topic on the first day of the study. They reminded the readers that “God loves commemoration.”  The devotional reminded me that all through the Bible God commands His people to mark important days and events with celebrations. The old testament describes feasts for specific occasions in detail.  Psalm 145:7 declares “They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of your righteousness.” The New Testament reinforces the spirit of thanksgiving and praise to our God for His care and gifts.

The commemorations in scripture included a variety of elements such as worship, singing, and thanksgiving. We read of music with all types of instruments, and choirs.  I believe, with this in mind, the celebration of the birth of God’s Son Jesus, and then also His Death and Resurrection, should be observed wholeheartedly. Jesus is a gracious gift from God to be remembered every day of the year and choosing one day to celebrate His birth is in keeping with the principles God teaches us through His Word. We all understand that Jesus was probably not born on December 25.  The date is not important.  The purpose for our praise and thanksgiving to God is what is important.  Our celebrations are to honour Christ Jesus, the one for whom we celebrate.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 
Col 3:16 – 17
 
Enjoy the music that proclaims God’s goodness, grace and the gift of Christ’s Birth.  Take delight in the lights that remind us of the Light of Jesus. Appreciate fellowship with family and friends.  Amidst it all, Worship Jesus, who came to be our Saviour and Lord.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
​Luke 2:13 - 14
 
Celebrate! After all, on that very first Christmas there was quite a celebration.   God sent a choir of angels to rejoice and proclaim the birth of God’s Son.