We love a good celebration. What happens after our sports team wins the big one? Or when a World War ends? Or when we get a promotion? Or when the shepherd finds the lost sheep? We celebrate!
The word “celebrate“ comes from Latin roots, and its etymology reveals some rich and festive meaning. The word comes from the Latin verb celebrare, which means “to honor, to go to in great numbers, to solemnize, to observe a festival.” So at its root, “celebrate” is about gathering people together to honor, remember, and/or observe something significant – often in a joyful or meaningful way.
Humans are wired for celebration and remembrance – to stop, look back, and reflect on momentous occasions. From birthday parties and national holidays to family traditions and cultural festivals, we instinctively celebrate that which matters to us. It’s in our God-given nature.
Celebrations aren’t just about fun; they help anchor us in time, in memory, and in meaning. They remind us who we are, where we’ve come from, and what we value most. Whether sacred or ordinary, these moments shape identity and draw us into community.
Over the centuries, monarchial leaders have grasped the understanding of our need to celebrate by instituting kingdom-wide festivals. These kingdom parties were usually all-inclusive – from courtiers to the peasant ranks, all participated. Queen Victoria, who reigned over the British Empire from 1837 to 1901, instituted such a national celebration.
Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee marked the 50th anniversary of her reign and was celebrated across the British Empire on June 20, 1887. Central events took place in London and included a grand thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey, attended by royalty, dignitaries, and representatives from around the world. Throughout the Empire, communities held street parties, fireworks displays, and public festivities. The Jubilee served as both a celebration of national unity and a display of the vast reach of the British monarchy.
We see a pattern of celebration deeply woven into Scripture. The benevolent King Yahweh didn’t just permit celebration, He commanded it.
After giving the people the Ten Commandments, Yahweh provided an additional set of commands related to the treatment of others – fellow servants, property protection, and social responsibility focused on justice and mercy. The deliverance of His commands was followed by the institution of three annual festivals that the people were to celebrate – the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering (See Exodus 23).
Reflecting on these three annual festivals we see God’s heart to draw His people into regular rhythms of remembrance, worship, and gratitude. These were not just events on a calendar; they were sacred invitations to remember who He was and what He had done. They reminded Israel that their story began with deliverance, was sustained by provision, and moved toward a future shaped by His faithful presence.
In our fast-paced, “always-on” world, such rhythms still matter, maybe even more so. Celebration slows us down. Celebration is woven into the fabric of God’s kingdom. Remembrance calls us back. When we intentionally create space to remember God’s goodness – through personal moments, family traditions, or gathered worship – we step into something deeply human and profoundly holy. These practices point us to a God who transcends time and is faithful across generations, filling us with gratitude, worship, and wonder. Sometimes a child-like wonder.
Something to reflect on as we approach the annual celebration of our risen King.
Practical Theology Today 