December 2007
God Is Throwing a Party and We're All Invited
By: Van Walton

Happy holidays! The season of celebrations, festivities and parties has arrived to excite our expectations and fill our calendars. Everyone wants to participate, including God.

Would you believe it if I told you that God is the Author and Designer of festivals? He so loves throwing parties that He laid out intricate plans for some week-long celebrations thousands of years ago. And, even though Christ had not yet appeared on the scene, each gala event pointed to Jesus!

God said, "These are my appointed feasts ..." In Leviticus 23, God even gave detailed directions. God told Moses to make an announcement, inviting the entire nation. He set the time and the date. He chose the food, designed the entertainment and defined the occasion for each gathering. His invitation even used words associated with holidays: "Rejoice, come together, drink and eat, sing, praise, rest from regular work, bring gifts, breathe the pleasing aroma, and celebrate."

The announcement of the first feast read, "In honor of the Lord your God, celebrate the Passover each year in the early spring, in the month of Abib (April) ..." (Deuteronomy 16:1).

During the spring of the year, God designed the Feast of Passover to remind the Israelites that He provided a way of escape from their captors and release from slavery. Passover tells of the time when the Angel of Death visited the homes of the Egyptians, yet passed over the Israelite slaves in Egypt. The children of Israel survived God's judgment because they had marked their doors with the blood of an unblemished lamb. Generations later the Lamb of God was born in a manger, the spotless Lamb whose shed blood and sacrificial death freed all who believed in Him. Freedom is a reason to celebrate!

Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks and a summer festival observing the wheat harvest, occurred on the 50th day (pent = 5) following the previous festival. The Pentecost immediately after Jesus' resurrection introduced the power of the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit causes spiritual growth in new believers, hence the "harvest" of souls which are brought into God's kingdom. Angels rejoice when people turn to God. Visualize that party!

During the fall, as part of the harvest festival, the fun and family-centered Feast of Tabernacles included "camping out" in small huts, a reminder of a life in tents during the Sinai wilderness wandering. Imagine the excitement experienced by each family as they planned to live outside for a week! God said, "This festival will be a time of great joy for all!" (Deuteronomy 16:15) Before Jesus left His disciples, He promised to prepare a permanent dwelling place in eternity with His Father. From huts to heaven -- who would decline a party in the clouds?

God's invitations tell everyone to celebrate these feasts yearly, and He insists that gifts be brought (Deuteronomy 16:16). "This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, celebrate it as a special festival. It will remind you that I rescued you" (Exodus 12-13).

I am confident I inherited my party-girl mentality from my heavenly Father. I too look for reasons to celebrate holidays. Not only do I plan for regular gatherings with lots of people, food and entertainment, I have a deep desire to plan my holidays with purpose. I want my yearly traditions to glow with the true meaning of Christmas. Like God who planned His feasts with meaningful reminders of His personal involvement in our lives, I hope my Christmas traditions will convince others of His existence.

Every year I pull out a favorite piece of jewelry -- a simple yet attractive, silver and gold brooch. I enjoy wearing my pin, a depiction of the nativity. Whenever my wearable ornament receives a compliment, I reply, "Thank you, I like it too. It reminds me why I celebrate Christmas. It is Jesus' birthday." Then I ask, "Do you celebrate His birthday this time of year?" I always walk away with a prayer for the person into whose heart I have just planted a tiny Christmas seed.

Every nativity season I decorate with purpose. When people come into my house, all they have to do is open their eyes. Jesus is everywhere. I open my huge family Bible to pictures of Jesus in a manger. Placing a large candle and greenery close by, I set my arrangement on a coffee table. Again, I'll receive a compliment for my decorating, giving me the opportunity to reply. "Thank you. I enjoy preparing for Christmas. I especially like having reminders in my home that it's Jesus' birthday. Do you like decorating?" Often I have the opportunity to ask a second question. "What about Christmas is special for you?" I silently pray that my guest's heart be gently challenged to seriously consider the real meaning behind holiday celebrations.

When God designed the Holy Days, He did so to remind us of His presence in our lives. Emmanuel -- God with us. God is throwing a party and I can't imagine keeping quiet about such a gala event. I'm ready to celebrate! Are you?

Van is the Director of Hispanic Ministries and a member of the P31 Speaker Team. She lives in Charlotte and spends part of each year in Missouri. She and her husband celebrate 36 years of marriage by rejoicing in the shared adventure of parenting their two grown sons and anticipating their journey into the future. Van is the author of a children's book, "From The Pound To The Palace." In her spare time she writes and travels. Read more about Van at vanwalton.blogspot.com.