“My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the king, shaping the river into words. . . . (Her wedding dress is dazzling, lined with gold by the weavers. . . . She is led to the king. . . . A procession of joy and laughter! a grand entrance to the king’s palace!)” (Psalm 45:1-3,13-15 MSG).

Psalm 45 recounts a celebration in poetic language: the good character of the bridegroom, the blessed life of the bride, and the joy of being in company with those who celebrate God’s goodness. 

How well do you celebrate? If someone spoke of you, would they say as it was said of Ebenezer Scrooge at the end of his life, “And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”

Did you know celebration is written into Old Testament guidelines? Did you know Jesus himself was welcome at celebrations in part because he enjoyed times of hospitality and friendship with a variety of people?

Sometimes we forget that our God is a God of delight, hospitality, and goodness. He wants us to celebrate beauty and goodness as well.

Have you considered Jesus’ life and other Bible stories and made note of the joy and celebration? What would happen if we who follow Christ did so through hospitality and daily celebration of all the beauty of this world? What if we saw others through the hospitable heart of Christ? How would we impact others with God’s love?