Christmas Parties
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 13 Dec 2009 in From Steve's Study ::
Christmas certainly is the time for celebrations, isn’t it? It seems that almost everywhere you turn there is another gathering. There are work parties, school class parties, family parties, Kids Club Presentations and even end-of-year Bible Study parties. It is great to get together to celebrate another year past, to build friendships and rejoice over milestones reached.
But I wonder if you’ve ever stopped to think what God thinks of all our parties. Is he sitting up in heaven with a big frown on his face going, “Tsk, Tsk… all this frivolity!”? Or is he more easy-going and happy for us to have a bit of fun?
Today, we start a short series called “Christmas Parties”, or more accurately, “Christ’s parties”. This week we’ll look at a time Jesus went to a party – a wedding party. Next Sunday, we’ll listen to what Jesus has to say about a party, to which we are all invited. And on Christmas day, we’ll have a great party together as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.
One thing that should be abundantly clear as we celebrate these parties together is that Jesus is no “killjoy”. Indeed, you’ll remember, he told us that he came that we “may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10). We shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying fun and relaxing times together. Fun and laughter are a great gift from God that he wants us to enjoy.
The other thing that will be clear, I think, is that there is more to life than all the “fun” we can have here on earth. If Christmas tells us nothing else, it reminds us that God loves us dearly and wants us to live forever with him in heaven. And no party during our lifetime, no matter how amazing, could even come close to the amazing joy we will experience in heaven.
So, in the midst of all your end-of-year functions and parties, don’t forget to give your RSVP to the greatest party of all. Don’t forget to celebrate the birth of the one who makes it possible to go to that party. And don’t be ashamed to tell the people you meet the greatest news of all, that God has invited them to come and join us in God’s heavenly banquet, that will last into eternity.
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