A life lived in overindulgence will likely yield ugly fruit, but two seasons of the church year call for no-holds-barred celebration: Christmas and Easter. And these feasts last for an entire season—not just December 25 and Easter Sunday but the weeks that follow (Christmastide and Eastertide).
“On this mountain the Lᴏʀᴅ of hosts will make for all people a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.” Isaiah 25:6
Jesus is a fan of the feast. In his first miracle, he turned water into wine so a wedding celebration could continue. Later, he participated in the Passover feast on the night he was arrested. And when all is said and done, we are invited to delight ourselves at the wedding feast of the Lamb—the banquet to end all banquets.
A good celebration is one that engages the participant in creation in such a way as to posture him or her in gratitude and worship to the Creator. As we feast, we imitate Christ and honor him, acknowledging the tremendous gravity of the incarnation (at Christmas) and the resurrection (at Easter). Feasting during Christmastide is simply obeying with utmost seriousness the angelic call: “Rejoice!”
“Oh, taste and see that the Lᴏʀᴅ is good!” Psalm 34:8
While feasting seems like it would be an easy discipline to enter into, it can be harder than you might think. Sitting in abundance and rest when you’re ready to move on is challenging! There will be years when you’ll be tempted to end Christmastide feasting early (or skip it altogether) and get back to normal life. Honor the time the Lord has given you to celebrate, even when it feels incongruous with what you’re walking through. Perhaps in a hard season, feasting will be the place where the Lord most unexpectedly meets you.
Tips for feasting during Christmastide
For each family, feasting will look a bit different—especially depending on the ages of your kids—but here are a few suggestions:
Have a family movie night or go see a movie together.
Take all twelve days off from paid work.
Let each person in the family set a dinner menu over the course of the twelve days of Christmas (dessert and a special drink included!) or go out to dinner or order in a couple times during the twelve days.
Do something unusual and special as a family—go on a hiking trip, spend the day at an amusement park or indoor playground, build a big puzzle, or have a baking contest, Mario-Kart tournament, dance party, or living room campout.
Host family and friends, especially on the twelfth night.
Pray together every day, telling each other the story of God’s work at Christmas and remembering (making alive!) the incarnation in your own hearts and home. Take extra time to enjoy your favorite activities (as individuals or families), and delight in the ways those things nurture gratitude for God and one another.
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Sacred Seasons, by Danielle Hitchen, helps you incorporate the time-honored traditions of the liturgical calendar into your everyday family life. Part theology, part church history, and part practical spirituality, this easy-to-use guide offers special opportunities to remember and celebrate the work of God beyond just Christmas and Easter.
Grow your family’s faith in tangible ways as you experience the meaning and joy of each sacred season together.
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