In the Northern Hemisphere, the dark days of late January are the time for both Burns Night (25th) and Chinese New Year (29th). The first marks the anniversary of the birth of the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759–1796) and is increasingly an event at the heart of Scots identity, involving bagpipes, kilts, Burns’ poetry, whisky and a meal including haggis, that culinary oddity using parts of a sheep that are normally discarded! Chinese New Year is a more varied event, extending over days, and can include the ceremonial cleaning of a home, gifts of money, decorations, a dinner of food with symbolic meanings, family visits, lion and dragon dances and fireworks.
Such celebrations are important. They are full of excitement, commemorate history and bind communities together. Most cultures have equivalent celebrations and, indeed, worldwide, many church denominations have festive events that are rich, colourful and noisy. Yet the Protestant Christian tradition that I belong to is one that rather downplays festive celebration.
This absence of grand celebrations in Protestant churches is due to several things. One is that although Jewish festivals are mentioned in the Gospels, they faded into the background as the church grew, and clear references to them are absent in the letters. Believers in Christ soon came to see that in him, the old Jewish festivals had been fulfilled. So for instance, Jesus was the supreme and ultimate Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). St Paul writes of festivals, ‘These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ’ (Colossians 2:17 NIV). Another reason why Protestant churches came to shun festivals was a reaction to the medieval church, where the rituals and robes had come to obscure the spiritual realities they were meant to proclaim.
In some sense, this absence of festivals is a pity. I’m sure I’m not alone in enjoying a good celebration, especially ones like Burns Night or Chinese New Year which can lift the mood amid the gloom. Yet on reflection, I’m struck by the thought that we who are Bible-based Christians shouldn’t miss out on celebration in our faith.
First, we believers can celebrate our foundation. We can look back to the first Easter, to the cross and the resurrection which liberates us from the power of sin and the threat of judgement. We do this whenever we have the Lord’s Supper – where we take the bread and the wine. This is, indeed, often called a ‘celebration’. Here, amid the solemnity of remembering Christ’s suffering and death, is a victory to lift even the most downcast heart. In Acts 2:46 we read: ‘They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity’(NLT). All those things that other festivals celebrate are present here at the Lord’s Supper. There is a proclamation of unity both with Christ and with other believers; something that the word ‘communion’ notes. Communion should be joyful.
Second, we believers can celebrate our situation. While the New Testament doesn’t speak much of joyful events, it speaks a lot of a joyful existence. In fact, joy is not to be restricted to special times and events but something we have permanently. We need to remind ourselves: God loves us, Christ has triumphed for us over sin, death and the powers of evil, we have been adopted into God’s family and we have been given the Holy Spirit. There’s a lot there to celebrate! Consider the following verses: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!’ (Philippians 4:4 NIV) and ‘Rejoice always’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV). Even St Paul’s letter to the Romans – that most solid and intense of theological letters – says, ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer’ (Romans 12:12 NIV) and ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace’ (Romans 15:13 NIV). Now, I’m not saying we should bubble over with joy on every occasion in life. Nevertheless, we should aim to make gladness and joy part of who we are.
Finally, we believers can celebrate our anticipation. We have hope of life beyond death; indeed, of a glorious existence, beyond pain and shame, with the Lord who loves us and has saved us. We have the certainty of being part of the ultimate celebration – the marriage feast of the Lamb – that will be ours with Christ in eternity (Revelation 19:7-10). If I understand Scripture rightly (Revelation 3:5, 20:15, 21:27), we have, as it were, seats reserved at the table. In every sense, that celebration will outdo any festivity we can imagine on this earth.
We have ample reason – past, present and future – to celebrate. Let’s do so! And indeed I will, because Sunday 9th February 2025 is the 50th anniversary of my conversion to Christ and being ‘born-again’. I am humbled by God’s grace and goodness, and grateful to my friend Andy Economides for introducing me to Jesus Christ. And on the day of my 50th anniversary I will preach the gospel at my home church, Christ Church Chorleywood, so that others can come to know him and for there to be celebration in both heaven and on earth.
J.John
Reverend Canon
