Joy Gems

How to Celebrate Special Events

(Esther 8:16 & 9:20-22) For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honour.

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews, throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

A time of victory and defeat of the enemy should be celebrated regularly so that we don't forget.

Do I celebrate my victories? Even once? Would it help me to write them onto a celebration calendar so I can review them again and again later, and rejoice all over again?

Maybe you celebrate your victories already. But how?

The story of Queen Esther's rescue of her people from being totally wiped out was a great reason to celebrate. So great that Jewish people still celebrate it with their Purim holiday.

What are the great milestones of deliverance in our lives? I'm thinking I ought to plan some annual Remembrance Days. If we are to take a page from Esther's cousin Mordecai's letter to all the Jews in captivity, then the way to celebrate our joy is with a feast, and gifts of food to each other and to the poor.

PRAYER: Yes, Lord! Let's have company over, and let's give food to the poor! That's how to demonstrate our joy and share it with others. I need to throw a party on July 31, and the first weekend in September for starters. Please help me to work out a more complete list, and to start celebrating the good things You have done for me!

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