Celebrations Are Almost Always An Act Of Faith

Lk. 1:39-45

Mary and Elizabeth were in a festive mood. They had very good reason. It was a happy time for both of them because they were expecting a child. Elizabeth, the older of the two, had given up hope of ever having a baby, but now she was six months pregnant. Mary had been visited by the archangel Gabriel who told her she would have a Baby Who was to be given the name Jesus and Who was to be the Saviour of the world. Together they were celebrating those expected arrivals. They were also celebrating what God would do through the lives of those two little boys.

You could say that all this rejoicing was premature, but aren’t most celebrations premature? When a man and woman get married, their families and friends come together and celebrate. They sing and dance, propose toasts and offer congratulations. Then a car drives off, with “just married” written on the back window. That sign speaks the truth. They are just married and that is all. No one knows for sure what kind of marriage it will be. The possibilities range from wonderful to dreadful. That marriage may be a source of joy and strength, or it may degenerate into untold misery. It could go either way, but still they celebrate. Celebrations are almost always an act of faith.

A football team scores a goal. The players hug each other, slap each other on the back and shout for joy. The game is not over and they may not win; they may even be behind in the score. There is no guarantee that they will win. Even if they do win, the season is not over. They are not yet champions. There is another game next week and they may lose it, but still they celebrate. Yes it is true that celebrations are almost always acts of faith.

So it was with Mary and Elizabeth. The final victory was no where in sight. They had no conclusive proof that it would ever come. Caesar still ruled the world. A detachment of his soldiers was stationed somewhere nearby. Sin still held sway in every human heart. The political and religious structure reeked with the stench of corruption. What was out there in the future, these two women had no idea. If they had known their hearts would have broken within them. Elizabeth’s son would have his head severed from his body, and served on a dish to a dancing girl. Mary’s Son would be nailed to a cross. Still they celebrated. Celebrations are almost always acts of faith.

That truth has real meaning for you and me. The lives that God has given us are not simply to be endured. Sometimes we do that because at the time, it is the best we can do. Many of our days are routine, and we just plod on from day to day. Life has never been a constant bed of roses. It has its share of struggle and disappointments. Occasionally it is festive. We must be aware of these occasions and celebrate them. If we celebrate nothing but final victories, we may never celebrate at all. That would be tragic.

Mary and Elizabeth were doing that. Throughout the history of their nation, the people had looked forward to the coming of a Redeemer. The prophets had kept that hope alive. Micah was one of those prophets. Centuries ago, he had congratulated the little town of Bethlehem, “Out of you will be born the One who is to rule over Israel…He will stand and feed His flock…He will extend His power to the ends of the land. He Himself will be peace.” That hope was lodged in the hearts of these two women, and they were grateful for it.

That glorious past also belongs to you and me, and more has been added to it. The event that Micah promised to Bethlehem is now a fact of history. Luke has recorded it. Carols have been written about it. The church has celebrated it for more than two thousand years. Mary and Elizabeth looked forward to His coming, and so do we. It is more than a future hope; it is also an historical fact. The promised Redeemer has come. His birth, life, death and resurrection are known to the world. We have a glorious history, and that alone is worth celebrating.

Another event that calls for celebrating is the day of beginnings. It was such a time for Mary and Elizabeth. They were expecting their first babies. Two lives were coming into the world. They were witnessing the start of something great. They could not know where it would lead, but still they celebrated. It was an act of faith.

Our lives, too, are filled with days of beginnings. A baby is born. Who can say what he or she will turn out to be? No one knows where those feet will eventually walk. Still we celebrate. A family member gets a new job. It may last for a year, or it may become the career of a lifetime. Still we celebrate. New beginnings and small victories call for a celebration, but they must always be celebrated by faith.

All of life is like that. From start to finish, it is an adventure in the realm of things not known. We have few guarantees. No one can tell us what the future will bring. That is why we need to cherish life, health, family and friends today. Tomorrow, we may not have them. Let us learn from Mary and Elizabeth to seize and celebrate the moment. If we wait for the final victory, in this life, we may never celebrate at all. Celebration is almost always an act of faith.

Lord Jesus, there is no greater act of faith than the celebration of Christmas. To see that helpless newborn Infant as the world’s Saviour is a constant reminder that God has things in store for us that we can scarcely imagine. In that spirit, may this Christmas season be a celebration of trust in the impossible.