We
have come to the end of the year and to the end of our study of Richard
Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline with
the last discipline, the discipline of celebration. The topic of celebration is appropriate this
time of year as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Celebration is a result of the joy we receive
in obedience and the practice of the other disciplines. Celebration is also a discipline in itself because
we do not always feel like celebrating.
As most of us gather with family and friends to
celebrate, we know that there are many who will find it hard to celebrate this
year because of loved ones lost, loved ones absent or estranged, sickness,
financial problems or any of a myriad of other personal and family issues. Add to all of those the difficult political
times in which we find ourselves. To
these people I would like to say that if your celebrations this year must be in
a lower key, we understand. Do what you
have to do.
However, I would also like to say that the
spiritual discipline of celebration, especially the celebration of Christmas,
is not about us, our family, or our circumstances, it’s about Jesus and the new
hope that he brings to us and to the world in the midst of our
circumstances. Jesus birth itself was in
the context of poverty, political oppression, and violent tragedy. Jesus birth brings light to a world of
darkness, hope to a world of despair, joy to a world of sorrow, peace to a
world in conflict, and love to a world of hate.
All of that is cause for celebration regardless of our personal
circumstances. As I said before, your
celebration may be in a lower key this year, and that might be a good idea for
all of us in this sometimes crazy season, but celebrate we must.
I wish you all a Blessed and Merry Christmas.
