100: Celebrate

You might not yet know it, but you’re about to. If you are listening in real time—August 16, 2023—today is National Roller Coaster Day. It’s also National Tell a Joke Day, and World Calligraphy Day. Whadya know? If you’re listening at a later date, let’s say maybe August 24, well, now we’ve got National Peach Pie Day, National Burger Day, International Strange Music Day, National Danny Day {to all the Danny’s out there—we celebrate you}, and National Waffle Day.

Now, I’ve never celebrated National Waffle Day {or any of these occasions for that matter], but I have celebrated International Waffle Day, which falls each year on March 25. It’s been years—actually close to two decades—since the one and only time I properly celebrated this occasion, but one March 25 when I was in high school, my friends and I decided to go all out.

We threw an International Waffle Day party. Lots of prep was involved—invitations, decorations, waffles and toppings {obviously}, and we even made our very own Waffle Day puff-paint t-shirts because, of course we did. Like I said, we went all out. Leslie Knope {from Parks and Rec} would be so proud. And now you know how cool I was in high school :)

It’s interesting to notice that there are multiple reasons for celebration each and every day of the year. Literally. In fact, I’ll link to a website in the show notes that has gathered together most, if not all, official holidays for us as a reference. Most of them are pretty inconsequential and somewhat random. But still, they’re there. And hey, lighthearted random celebration can be fun :)

But lately, I’ve been considering and exploring what it means to celebrate—and I’m learning that, as people created in the image of God, celebration might actually be an important spiritual practice for us to engage and lean into.

A few months ago, I was meeting with my spiritual director and she asked me an interesting question—she said, “As you prepare to step into these next couple months, what are you celebrating?” I thought about it and shared what came to mind; but the question stuck with me and even lingers still. What are you celebrating?

Certainly it depends on the season, the chapter, the circumstance—there are days, weeks, months, even years when answering a question like that feels impossible. And that’s okay. We don’t have to bypass, rush through or gloss over what breaks our hearts. It’s important to acknowledge that.

But most days, most weeks, most months, most years, heartbreak isn’t all there is; reality is a mixed bag. The good is there, if and when we’re ready to dig in and recognize it.

Celebration as spiritual practice is not new. And it’s interesting to consider how celebration has been a part of who God is since the very beginning. In the creation story found in Genesis 1, God takes the time to notice and honor each movement of creation. We know the familiar refrain: “God saw that it was good.” God recognized the goodness. God celebrated.

We also see God’s people celebrate in lots of different ways all throughout Scripture. The prophet Miriam {Moses’ and Aaron’s sister} comes to mind. In Exodus 15, she leads a whole group of women as they dance and sing and play tambourines, celebrating God’s provision as God helped them safely cross the Red Sea, out of and away from the slavery and bondage they experienced in Egypt.

In Leviticus 23, God invites the Israelites to commemorate and celebrate seven holy festivals: The Passover, The Festival of Unleavened Bread, The Offering of First Fruits, The Festival of Weeks, The Festival of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and The Festival of Booths. In their own unique ways, each festival was meant to celebrate the faithfulness of God. And every 50 years, they culminated in a year of Jubilee, which we’re introduced to in Leviticus 25.

God’s people kept celebrating, in their own particular ways. David danced, Nehemiah paraded, Esther feasted, Mary pondered, angels sang, Magi gave gifts, and the Father and his household threw a major party at the return of his son. Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding. The woman at the well couldn’t contain her excitement after her interaction with him. And most who Jesus healed throughout his ministry rejoiced in awe and gratitude at a life changed for the better.

This kind of celebration continues still, even today. Of course, we celebrate pivotal moments of our faith throughout the church calendar. But also, in my July Re{collection} letter, I asked what you have celebrated recently, and here is what some of you shared:

In the past few months, we celebrated a mother’s 80th birthday and another mother’s 85th. A 45th and 50th wedding anniversary. The completion of a clinical pastoral education unit for chaplaincy. A son’s 18th birthday. A daughter losing her first tooth. Getting last minute Taylor Swift tickets. Submitting a manuscript to a publisher. A promotion. High school graduation. College graduation. A clear scan.  A new job. A new home. An acceptance letter. Progress in physical therapy. First days of school. Nine years of sobriety. And today, I’m celebrating 100 episodes of this podcast :)

We’ve celebrated well, and I hope we’ll continue to celebrate still. Even if the occasion isn’t particularly obvious. Because really, at its core, celebration is simply a noticing. A marking. A remembering. A spiritual practice that reminds us of the goodness of God. Celebration matters.

Our cause for celebration can be big or small, a significant milestone or a simple acknowledgement that we were able to get out of bed that morning. And sometimes, that feels incredibly significant.

We can celebrate quietly and personally, perhaps with a simple prayer of gratitude.

We can celebrate extravagantly and communally, with a party and plenty of cake.

We can join in others’ celebrations, even if the occasion isn’t our own.

We can celebrate strategically and intentionally, or at a moment’s notice, because you never know when an opportunity for celebration will present itself. As Mary Oliver writes in her poem, Don’t Hesitate,

“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.”

Today, as you navigate this mixed bag called life, remember to celebrate. To give in to the goodness. Together, may we notice, honor, experience, and remember the goodness of God in all sorts of ways, as we continue to become the people God calls and invites us to be.