Season of Celebration

There seems to be a lot of celebrations this time of year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and even some non-holiday related ones like the World Series, the Grey Cup and the Super Bowl. I also find that the general feeling of autumn makes me a little bit giddy. Maybe part of what got me thinking that there is a more significant aspect to all of this was something C.S. Lewis said in his book Surprised By Joy. In it he recognized that autumn produced a sense of joy in him; when I read it I thought, 'me too'. And by the end of the book Lewis referred to those things which produce joy as being 'pointers' or 'sign posts' to something greater. Well, I wanted to share a thought that can make this time of year better for us no matter how we feel about the holiday season.

What in general makes these celebrations so great? I think it comes down to three grand themes and most of our traditions fall into these. The first is the sense of community with family and friends gathered around us. The second is the sense of satisfaction by giving and receiving gifts, eating delicious meals and enjoying good drink. And the final theme is the sense of significance that comes from watching the winning team, recognizing a religious event or marking the passing of time. So why is it that not everyone thinks this is the most wonderful time of the year? What are some of the issues that face most of us in January? Why is it that if we are honest, even on Christmas morning there is something wrong?

It is fairly simple, there is something wrong. Community is broken, people are alone, we can't get along with everyone and some are sick or dying. All those wonderful gifts never seem to satisfy as they ought to, some folks can't afford to give the way they like and some people don't actually receive much of anything. We over-eat, over-drink, and over-spend and even if we don't we would always like to have another plate or another glass but with careful restraint we pass. Significance is missed by many of us; our team looses, we never kept one resolution from last year and the religious ceremonies seem nostalgic and irrelevant.

Thankfully that is not the end of my thought, I had promised an idea that would improve our outlook this year. There is one who walked through life with a different kind of perspective. One for whom weddings, sickness, loneliness, celebrations and ceremony all pointed to something greater. He is Jesus. During his life on earth Jesus fed people with an abundant supply, he provided the best wine when the party looked like it was in trouble, he healed the sick, freed the oppressed, and raised the dead. He comforted the sad and had compassion on the guilty and broken souls he met. He announced a new world order, won with a victory that would make the greatest sporting contest seem like nothing. He considered all the religious requirements and traditions and showed they had a meaning outside of themselves; they were to make us think of him. And in offering hope Jesus also offers access "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved" (John 10:9). Consider that these times of celebration are just a season. One day this season will end, and another will begin that will never end. That season will be constant celebration for the person who now considers Jesus as the centre of community, the fullest satisfaction and the greatest significance.