Celebrate good times! Come on! Let's celebrate! Some of you are already singing Kool and the Gang's #1 hit. The song Celebrate was released in 1980, but continues today as a universal anthem for joy and festivity. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry. Not familiar with this infectious tune? Listen to it HERE —it's guaranteed to lift your mood. To CELEBRATE means to acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity; to honor or praise publicly.
When was the last time you really celebrated? Was it a birthday, anniversary, graduation, promotion, holiday, or your favorite sports team? What do your celebrations look like? Do they include food, drink, laughter, dancing, gifts? Do you celebrate the simple, everyday things that happen in your life? At our church, we've taken on the mantra "Celebrate Progress." When we move even small steps toward our goals—it's an opportunity to celebrate! Oprah Winfrey said, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Have you been around someone whose entire life is a big party? Their joyful presence is infectious. You can't help but smile with them because they always find a reason to celebrate.
In the Old Testament, the LORD called Israel to celebrate. He did that by commanding seven feasts throughout the year (Leviticus 23). Feasts are large meals in which we eat and drink sumptuously in celebration of something. The Hebrew word for feasts, moadim means "appointed times." The first four of the seven feasts occur during the Spring (Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and the Feast of Weeks). The final three holidays or holy days (The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and The Feast of Tabernacles) occur during the Fall, all within a short fifteen-day period. As you study these feasts you will see that they all point to Jesus Christ as Messiah. Many Christians observe these feast days to connect to the Judaic roots of Christianity. Israel celebrated other things with feasting and song in Scripture like the dedication of the house of the LORD (Ezra 6:16), or Yahweh fighting battles on His people's behalf. (Exodus 15: Isaiah 30:32) The LORD felt celebration was so important that He commanded it throughout the year. Might it be time for us to prioritize celebrating?
Celebrate what you want to see more of. —Tom Peters, American Businessman | 
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