Time to Celebrate

When we think of drawing closer to God, we think of prayer, study, meditation, and other solemn activities we label as discipline. But there’s another one that children are particularly good at: Celebration. Many times in the Bible, the Lord directs his people to celebrate through feasting, singing, dancing, and rejoicing.

Too often, we make following God about striving to be better. We can ignore or forget that our soul is made for happiness by connecting with our Creator. Way too often, we make life a hectic rush of work with little enjoyment of this great gift we’ve been given.

As we draw near to God, joy erupts, and as joy bubbles up, we get nearer to God. In the book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster writes, “Celebration is central to all the Spiritual Disciplines … Every Discipline should be characterized by carefree gaiety and a sense of thanksgiving.”

Shout praises to the LORD,

everyone on this earth.

Be joyful and sing

as you come in

to worship the LORD!

Psalm 100:1–2 (CEV)

Once again, we find we have to be intentional, this time about celebrating God. We may need to refocus our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations to be sure we are celebrating God with God. We can add praise to our birthday and anniversary parties. We can also make up our own celebrations: the feast of Promotion Day, the dancing parade of Good Grades, the shout for joy of Safe Homecoming Day, and the singing remembrance of the Day of Healing. Just ask your kids how you can celebrate God today!

There is so much to rejoice over, so much to be grateful for. “Come near to God, and he will come near to you” (James 4:8a)—then dance and sing, shout and rejoice!

PRAY

Thank you Lord! You have been so good to us in so many ways. You are wonderful and beautiful, and you embody amazing love. Please help my family remember that. May we find our joy in you. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question: How can we celebrate God today? What things has he done for us that make you happy?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Read these passages today.

Psalm 43:4

Philippians 4:4