Articles
Celebrations
During this time of the year there is much discussion about how God views various celebrations. The discussion may focus on a Christmas family get together. Sometimes it moves to most any celebration. For example, some have said that Christians must not participate in a birthday celebration. What light can the Bible shed on such things?
The Bible is abundantly clear that Christians are to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thes. 5:22). We are not to participate in ungodliness or unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). We are not to engage in lewdness, lusts, drunken revelries, riotous events, or drinking parties (1 Pet. 4:3). These things are sinful and should be avoided by Christians.
But does that mean that a Christian must avoid all celebrations? Let us look deeper into the Bible on this matter.
In Luke 15 Jesus tells the parable of the Prodigal Son. While it is certain that we must not push too hard on various details of a parable, this one includes these following words from Jesus:
But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” And they began to be merry. Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. - Luke 15:22-25
In John 2:1-11 Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding feast at Cana. They chose to attend this marriage celebration. Mary, his mother, apparently had a personal interest in the success of this wedding feast for when the drink ran out, Mary mentioned this to Jesus. Jesus assumed that His mother wanted Him to take some action to remedy the situation to keep the celebration from turning into an embarrassment for the host. Jesus did take action.
In John’s vision, in Revelation 19:6-9, there is the celebration called “the marriage supper of the Lamb!” There was the sound of a great multitude sounding like “mighty thunderings,” saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” There was rejoicing and the giving of glory for this marriage. The bride was “dressed to the nines,” “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” What a grand celebration this will be.
Do you think there will ever have been a grander celebration than this one?
From this it is clear that celebrations are not evil. Birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Fourth of July, and such are not sinful to celebrate. Now if they are for the purpose of drinking, carousing and lasciviousness, they are wrong and must be avoided. But enjoying family and friends, food, music and singing is not evil.
The invitations for the marriage supper of the Lamb have been sent out. Have you confirmed your attendance for this celebration?
