Celebrate on purpose

Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier every year. Ornaments make their debut in July. Trees flamboyantly display themselves alongside Halloween costumes and turkey tablecloths. The anticipation of Christmas is longer than its actual effect. The season's latest and greatest gift takes more time to find and stand in line to buy than the child will spend playing with it.

Now I am not actually condemning the progressive Christmas calendar. I look forward to the ornament reveal. What I am concerned with is the same thing that I think at some level all of us are concerned with. How can our celebrations, whatever the celebrations are, actually carry meaning beyond the moment of glee?

Celebrations are vital to life. In the New Testament we read about how Jesus' enemies became so frustrated with him not simply because he spent so much time at parties, but because he actually enjoyed himself. So much so that he was falsely accused of being a drunkard and spending too much time with sinners. Yet Jesus still went and was still falsely accused. The abundant life that Jesus offers is one that is full of celebration.

Intentional celebrations express the core values of a shared history. Joshua, when crossing the Jordan River, had men pick up 12 stones and construct an alter once they had reached the other side. When questioned why, he responded that when the generations come and ask why these stones are here, they will be able to tell them what the Lord had done for them. They intentionally created a moment to share what was most important to them. Thanksgiving and Christmas give an opportunity for your family to worship by intentionally celebrating what the Lord has done for you.

Celebrations afford us the chance to share what is most important to us. By intentionally building in activities, the impact of these up-and-coming celebrations can last longer than wrapping paper on the floor. Go to a church service together; go to a parade. Make some cookies together or take a night to watch "It's a Wonderful Life." Block out time and begin to plan simple and fun activities to intentionally build some memories from your celebrations.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.