Church Parties. Work Parties. Family Parties.
Many of us will do a lot of celebrating over the holiday season. We’ll sing Christmas songs together, eat too much food, give presents, etc. Even if you don’t have money to buy expensive gifts and fancy foods, you have reason to celebrate. It’s Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus! Without Christmas there would be no Easter. Without Easter (the death and resurrection of Jesus to pay the price for our salvation), we would have no reason for rejoicing. (1 Cor. 15:14-19)
Enjoy Christmas Parties But Remember the Greatest Reason to Party
Enjoy time with family and friends but remember the greatest reason to party. You see, it isn’t what you have or what you’ve done that brings the greatest joy … not even ministry accomplishments.
Remember Jesus’ words to the disciples after a very successful ministry effort — “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20). Belonging to Him is the greatest reason to party.
In addition to your own salvation through Jesus, seeing others come to be found in Him is cause for great rejoicing.
Jesus told parables of a lost sheep and a lost coin being found which He likened to the salvation of people, saying “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk. 15:7, 10). Angels in heaven understand the greatest reason to party.
The father in the parable of the lost son had a party when his son returned home. His brother did not share the same sentiment. The father defended his stance saying, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Lk. 15:32).
Christmas made it possible for our salvation and the salvation of the world.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 Jn. 2:2)
Are you compelled by the greatest reason to party?
This post forms the basis for one of the sessions in the Christmas Reminders Curriculum for adult classes.
Let’s party for Jesus – Amen Sister!!! 8-)