Celebrate His Life

     “Celebrate Jesus, celebrate!” a wonderfully lyrical song shouts. It is followed by “He is risen! He is risen! Come on and celebrate; come on and celebrate, Christ the King!” I know…this is Christmas time: angels in the realm of glory yelling at shepherds as they tried to stay awake watching their sheep; Joe and Mary wandering around trying to find a place to sleep after walking and riding a stinky donkey; little babies born in pristine stables without the smell of animals…or other; and a virgin giving birth to the Savior of the world (Luke 1:1-2:20). So if I’m writing about Christmas, why are the lyrics about Christ rising?
     Jesus is alive! He is no longer a baby but a grown man who conquered death. Christmas is a time to remember and celebrate the fact that God saw fit to come to our earth and be born of a virgin; God in the flesh. Wow! While this is true, that we celebrate Christmas for this reason, I challenge each of you to go beyond that. Keep in mind that the word Christmas most likely entered the English language around 1050 as the Old English phrase Christes maesse, meaning “Festival of Christ.” That’s right…Festival—Celebration! A time to celebrate Christ! I’m using a lot of exclamation points because festivals for Jesus ought to have them. We are here to celebrate—not a baby Jesus—we are here to celebrate a Jesus risen from the womb (Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:7), risen from the tomb (Mark 16:1-8), and risen to Heaven (Acts 1:9). Yes!
     Our bridegroom came in the form of a child who grew into an adult through whom we have redemption from sin (Ephesians 1:7). Jesus wants you, each of you, to celebrate His life. He knows you are waiting for Him to come claim you. He knows you have the oil in your lamp and in your flasks. He is ready to open the door “and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast…” (NASB Matthew25:10 emphasis mine). Your bridegroom is pulling you into a feast—a Christes maesse! Are you willing to celebrate Jesus’ life this Christmas? Will you step out and shout with joy and exultation for the risen One? Will you stand up and express your love for this grown Savior? Will you drop the serious demeanor and celebrate Jesus’ life?
     He is risen! (from the womb) He is risen! (from the tomb) He is RISEN! (to Heaven). Will you celebrate with me our RISEN Savior?