Tis the Season

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
- John 2:1-2
 
As we head into Thanksgiving and kickstart the “holiday season,” we wanted to take a look at this fascinating story of Jesus’ first miracle in the Gospel of John. Jesus received an invitation to a party and he went. Weddings at that time would have been lavish, community-filled, week-long events. Families would gather and celebrate, with all the fun and drama that that entails.
 
Jesus would have gone to weddings and parties and holiday events. He didn’t live as a monk on a mountaintop isolated from the world. He joined in the fun.
 
Throughout the Old Testament we see time and time again God establishing rhythms of feasting and celebration for his people. Feasts to remember historical events. Celebrations to mark the season. Parties with food and friends fill the narrative of the Bible.
 
We can miss this so easily. It’s easy to think that our relationship with God needs solely to be one of quiet prayer and attentive study, punctuated by regular trips to worship. But God wants to be present in every corner of our lives.
 
When you’re eating turkey on Thanksgiving and leftovers on Black Friday and shopping small on Saturday and going to church on Sunday, God’s with you for all of that. He’s present throughout the Christmas season. He doesn’t sternly cross his arms and bah-humbug the merry-making. He joins the fun.
 
Do you expect to find Jesus in your fun moments during the holiday season? How might God’s presence during your times of celebration make them deeper and sweeter?

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