Party Season

What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning looking for a drink of alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine to make themselves flaming drunk. They furnish wine and lovely music at their grand parties—lyre and harp, tambourine and flute—but they never think about the Lord or notice what he is doing.  (Isaiah 5:11-12 NLT)

It’s the Christmas season!  It's party time!  There is no busier season in the year for caterers and those who own restaurants or pubs.  Family get-togethers, work Christmas parties, church socials, and social groups of various kinds, are just some of the gatherings which involve music and dancing, laughter and good food.  We tell ourselves, Christmas time is a time to indulge our appetites. Whether it is food or alcohol or something else, many people give themselves permission to indulge excessively in order to have a good time.



 In spite of the fact that the reason for the season is God’s generous gift of Jesus, He is seldom thought about by the Christmas party goers.  Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to earth to be born in human form in a humble stable.  He did this so that He could be the Saviour of mankind.  Somehow, in spite of this truth, God’s most precious gift is ignored by most of the Christmas celebrants.  

Each of us would do well to remember the reason for the season, and in doing so, rejoice in the joy and peace that wine and parties alone can never give us.  Being part of the kingdom of God brings joy and peace to our lives.  The Bible tells us - "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17 NKJV) 

Jesus came to earth to give up His life that we might live a life of peace knowing our sins are forgiven.  He gives us freedom to live in the truth of His word rather than cover-up our behaviour with lies.  He also gives us comfort when we are sorrowful.  We are not wise enough to sort life out on our own.  We are powerless over many things that make life unmanageable.  The Advent season is a time to stop and think about the Lord Jesus, and notice what He is doing in us, and around us.  As we welcome His love and peace into our celebrations, we should remember with joy that we have an invitation to the great party in heaven that awaits those who put their hope and trust in Him. 

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” (Matthew 22:2, Revelation 19:9 NIV)

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