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Most Christians celebrate Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, along with some other occasions, but it’s important to consider why we are doing it and what we are expecting, so that we act with faith and expectation, rather than out of habit—and so that our celebrations add to our rest, rather than raise our stress levels!
Festivals were important in the Hebrew calendar, a mark of a people at rest, a time when the whole community stopped work and took time to celebrate. In fact, they were so important, they were a command from the Lord under the Old Covenant [Deuteronomy 16]. |
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Although some were celebrated by Israel in the desert, festivals really came into their own in the Promised Land as a celebration of the goodness of the Lord and His redemption—for their freedom from slavery; His care and provision in the desert; the abundance of supply in their new land; and the blessings of harvests ‘watered from heaven’.
BUT WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS?
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Jesus celebrated the festivals of the Old Covenant because His purpose was to ‘fulfil the Law’ [Matthew 5:17] on our behalf. With that divine commission completed, Paul wrote to the Colossians that the former commands were no longer binding, as they were just a shadow of the reality found in Christ; and so they were not to judge themselves or others on their observance [Colossians 2:16, 17].
Therefore, as Christians, we don’t observe festivals…
However, setting quality time aside to reflect on, and celebrate, God’s intervention in the human story is another way of developing the gift of rest in our lives—and can be a beautiful expression of our personal walk with the Lord, as well as a feature of church life.
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It is good to have regular times in the year when we focus on the fundamentals of the Christian faith; times when we revisit the great truths of God’s plan of redemption, the truths which undergird all that we do. As we saw on THE RHYTHM OF SABBATH page, we steward these gifts, by taking time out to focus on them, celebrate them and declare them over ourselves and our communities; and in doing so, open ourselves up to the Spirit for greater revelation.
And it’s also good that once a year these foundations are taught again to our children, and to those who are new Christians.
And it’s also good that once a year these foundations are taught again to our children, and to those who are new Christians.
True Festival is a Spirit-inspired response to the specifics of God’s provision; it’s celebrating God’s story; what we have received, what has been done for us, and allowing that blessing to flow out to others.
And faith-filled festival rises up from within—an explosion of celebration in response to God’s amazing favour. We celebrate God’s provision in Jesus, and worship the Provider.
In addition, festival carries with it a spirit of revelation and breakthrough. Festival sets the prisoners free… It is a Kingdom ‘Gateway’ to encounter, revelation and transformation.
And faith-filled festival rises up from within—an explosion of celebration in response to God’s amazing favour. We celebrate God’s provision in Jesus, and worship the Provider.
In addition, festival carries with it a spirit of revelation and breakthrough. Festival sets the prisoners free… It is a Kingdom ‘Gateway’ to encounter, revelation and transformation.
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Party is in the heart of God: party with festive food, colour, creativity, music, dance, vibrancy, laughter, fun and joy… Spirit-fuelled jubilation at the Lord’s amazing provision. www.rhythmsofgrace/spirit-led-celebration/rhythm-of-festival Click to Tweet |
UNWRAP THE GIFT
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We have rest because of God’s amazing provision for us, detailed in the FOUNDATIONS FOR BIBLICAL REST section of this website. But rest isn’t a finite package—there are greater and greater measures of rest to grow into.
As we take time (see THE RHYTHM OF SABBATH) to reflect and meditate on God’s goodness and His wonderful grace (unmerited favour) towards us, our revelation will grow and our measure of inner peace and tranquillity will increase—and this cycle will continue to the end of our lives! |
The Holy Spirit loves to delight in, and celebrate, all of these remarkable provisions, and longs to teach us more about His wonderful grace.
Festival is about responding to His call.
Festival is about responding to His call.
SPIRIT-FILLED FESTIVAL
Out of revelation, gratitude and celebration will flow naturally; this revelation and response is the foundation for Spirit-filled festival.
Our celebration may include corporate worship, but is not limited to it. Festival is something which flows from the responsive heart and can be expressed in a first-floor flat, a river-side shack, a touring caravan or a medieval castle—not just a church meeting-place. And as true celebration is unique to each individual, we can still be festive even if we are housebound.
Our celebration may include corporate worship, but is not limited to it. Festival is something which flows from the responsive heart and can be expressed in a first-floor flat, a river-side shack, a touring caravan or a medieval castle—not just a church meeting-place. And as true celebration is unique to each individual, we can still be festive even if we are housebound.
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Some of the ways I like to celebrate
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WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING?
Gardening; reading; sewing; hill-walking; running? We are all different; there isn’t a ‘one-size fits all’ mode of celebration, thank goodness. Why not ask the Holy Spirit to give you creative ideas about how you can celebrate in a way which is individual to you.
And celebration is a great excuse for a party. Even if your family and friends don’t share your faith, you can pray that your festive hospitality results in hearts being touched. (And I don’t mean leaving tracts under the trifle!) |
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GRACE-FILLED ENCOUNTER
When we focus on an aspect of the Lord’s provision and let gratitude overflow, we can be sure of a grace-filled encounter with the Provider.
You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
[Psalm 22:3]
[Psalm 22:3]
When we turn our festivities into an offering of gratitude and praise, we make a ‘throne’ for God to occupy; and He loves to come where He is invited. And wherever revelation and encounters increase, so do miracles and personal transformation.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS AND DECREES
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Festival is a time when we can declare the Word of God over our world—regarding what has already taken place, and also what is to come. God has determined that nothing takes place in the Kingdom without it first being proclaimed. We look back at what has already been given, and forward to the mighty things God has in store, and speak them over ourselves, our families and our neighbourhoods. (See CREATING NEW MINDSETS for more on the power of our words.)
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But a prophetic declaration is not confined to our words. Scripture is full of physical actions which effected change in the earthly realm. (Baptism and Holy Communion are obvious examples, but others include The Passover [Exodus 12]; Moses’ lifted hands [Exodus 17:1-7]; and the King’s arrows [2 Kings 13:14-19]).
We can use the opportunity offered by our festivals to make those faith-filled declarations, not only in our prayers, but also through our decorations, our gifts, special activities and our feasting; and in doing so, release Kingdom reality in the earthly realm.
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A few possibilities…
At Christmas, we could pray for an anointing for the revelation of Emmanuel to be on the Christmas cards we send (like Paul’s anointed handkerchiefs [Acts 19:12]); during Eastertide, we might declare the efficacy of Jesus’ death and resurrection over our neighbourhood, as we make an Easter Garden; we can proclaim (or even shout!) that ‘Jesus is Lord!’ from a local high point on Ascension Day; and take a prayer-walk to bless the work of the local farming community at harvest-time. Not inspired? |
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God’s ‘now’ word is living and active with power to effect change. Why not ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with ideas that fit your personality and gifting?
PARTY-TIME
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Jesus was accused of being a wine-bibber and a glutton. While we can be sure He neither ate nor drank to excess, He evidently enjoyed feasting with friends. And feasting is an essential part of festival. Party is in the heart of God: party with festive food, colour, creativity, music, dance, vibrancy, laughter, fun and joy… Spirit-fuelled jubilation at the Lord’s amazing provision. The world craves a party and hundreds of pounds are spent pursuing a dream. Real party flows naturally from a Spirit-filled life and can embrace all who come within its orbit.
Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to show us how to really celebrate! |
FREELY GIVE
Festival is not just about me and what I have received. Festival is the means by which I can release that provision over others.
Festival takes my creative gifts; joy-filled play, powerful symbolism, and focused celebration and turns them into mighty weapons of spiritual warfare. My celebration of God’s all-encompassing provision can cause a change in the spiritual climate around me.
Now that’s something to ponder…
Festival takes my creative gifts; joy-filled play, powerful symbolism, and focused celebration and turns them into mighty weapons of spiritual warfare. My celebration of God’s all-encompassing provision can cause a change in the spiritual climate around me.
Now that’s something to ponder…
*RHYTHMS OF GRACE:
RECEIVE His wonderful provision—the starting point for true festival.
Set aside some Sabbath time (see SPIRIT-LED REFRESHMENT: THE RHYTHM OF SABBATH) to reflect on the great truths commemorated in an upcoming festival. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you creative ideas about how you can make it an authentic faith-filled celebration.
GIVE FREELY because you are blessed. How can your ‘jubilee’ spill out to impact your family, friends and community? Why not share your ideas? Get in touch below to share your 'festival' experiences.
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
SPIRIT-LED SLOW TIME: THE RHYTHM OF SEASONAL LIVING
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And now let's continue exploring... Click on the picture for the next page in 'Developing Life Rhythms'... SPIRIT-LED SLOW TIME: THE RHYTHM OF SEASONAL LIVING |
RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST
[Photo credits: Raven Images (fireworks); Anuja Mary Tilj (open Bible); Nick Fewings (wrapped gifts); Marisa Morton (mini cupcakes);
Laurencia Soesanto (leaping girl); Joshua Earle (man on rocky outcrop); Adi Goldstein (balloons) @ Unsplash, with thanks]
Laurencia Soesanto (leaping girl); Joshua Earle (man on rocky outcrop); Adi Goldstein (balloons) @ Unsplash, with thanks]