Philippians 4:4 NKJV
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
How many times do we look forward to extra time off from work because of the next scheduled holiday? Maybe your family or friend has a special day or event that a big party is being put together for? It could even be one of those arbitrary made up national or worldwide celebration days that makes no sense, but you feel it is worth celebrating?
No matter what the reason is, there always seems to be a reason to celebrate. Sometimes it can get so bad that you can’t keep them straight even with a deluxe calendar or a social secretary. Once I had a co-worker who liked to celebrate the birthdays of every relative she knew, and she would fret that she had too many in one month.
I used to be a lot worse than I am now, but I still know others who seem to be at or are arranging a party every weekend. I have also seen others start celebrating from the time they leave work on a Friday until Sunday evening just because it is the weekend. I know that this is a little extreme, but even a normal calendar is filled with reasons to celebrate or honor something.
Most of us will fall in there somewhere and know that these extras can add to an already busy schedule. When we look back at some of those celebrations we may have trouble remembering certain details. Even the next day can be more about recovery with many of the events soon fading from your memory.
Very few of us probably have taken the time to consider what some of these dates mean. I can honestly say that there were times that I spent more time looking to when I would get a free day off and seldom worrying about the why. Even recently there was a holiday that was added in June that sounded made up, but actually has some history behind it.
If these dates or holidays have such significance, we should spend more than that one day honoring it. The freedom we enjoy and the men who sacrificed for it is something we can easily take for granted that a few fireworks or parades can never do it justice. There is so much history in this area that we can join the past with those who protect those freedoms today.
We also have a few dates and holidays that highlight the equality struggles from the past that still extend into our modern day. How we treat each other in our communities is too important to be contained to just a few dates. Too often we spend our time dwelling on differences, but no matter who we are or where we live, we are all important and matter.
Even the days we spend time and money planning to give thanks or profess our love for another should have more to it. Everything we are thankful for or the love we feel shouldn’t be celebrated just once a year. Other than maybe our birthday, we can add in special dates throughout the year that may correspond with a big game, graduation, or other events.
Some of the biggest and busiest holidays revolve around two religious celebrations. Christmas and Easter have evolved into such an extravaganza that are more represented by a bearded old man and a bunny rather than our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the world, their true meaning is lost amongst the backdrop of endless advertising.
The birth of our savior is a moment that has significant meaning because God sent His Son to live among us as an example of how we should live. His death is even more important, in that Jesus was the final unblemished sacrifice to forgive all the sins of mankind. His resurrection and ascension fulfilled the scriptures.
The significance of these events is far more important that any manmade holiday or celebration can ever be. Some of those who profess to be Christians only show up in church on these two days. Even just going to church every week is not enough, we should be celebrating the love God showed for us through the birth and death of His Son every day.
We must each ask ourselves why we do not. When we begin each day with a thankful heart, we set the tone for the day. Psalms has many verses of praise to remind us. Psalm 143:8, “Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.”
Even the simple reminder in Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Each day is new as the birth of the Savior and is a chance for us to live as He taught us. In all things love God and love others. It does not sound too difficult, but we all know that it is. We are not perfect and prone to temptation and sin.
This is why we must always remember what Christ did when He died on the cross for our sins. It was so that we could be forgiven and make a way for us to return to the Father. Psalm 103:2 (NLT) reminds us, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” It is too easy for us to get caught up in our busy lives and forget.
So, join me in declaring every day as Christmas and Easter. Let us honor the Lord for what He has done in everything we do. Be His light and an example to others as you share the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and your testimony of what He has done in your life. Pray and reflect how best you can do this, then please enjoy “Keep Me At Your Core.”
We always seem to be planning for the next big holiday,
Where to go or who to invite seems to be part of our everyday.
There can be time spent planning a menu or what we want to bring,
A lot depends on if it’s formal or just a little fling.
Family gatherings are important or even the ones with friends,
Because we come together for a celebration with fellowship that mends.
Lord, even the big important dates that have a deeper meaning,
Are easily forgotten by the next day as if we were only dreaming.
Dear child, there is no reason why certain celebrations should not last,
Fore they are given a special day and are an important part of the past.
We must all choose how to remember things so that they do not fade,
Like the glorious birth of a savior and on the day mankind’s debt was paid.
Each day start with a thankful heart by acknowledging what you were given,
The gift of my love and mercy and that all of your sins are forgiven.
Then look at those other celebrations and what they really stand for,
Add them to your daily remembrance as you Keep Me At Your Core.
Simple Faith Christian
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Simple Faith Christian 