Have you ever noticed how definitions keep changing over time? I guess the current thought is that what society perceives the word to mean- that is its meaning. So as time has changed the usage of words, the dictionaries have responded by changing the actual definitions of the words. There is a free Christian program for anyone to use called E-Sword (some individual items may have a cost). It contains Bible versions, commentaries, visual helps and word dictionaries. I like to use the Webster’s 1828 dictionary to see what the word’s meanings were before we started changing them to society’s perceptions.
Celebrate v.t.-
1. To praise; to extol; to commend; to give to; to make famous; as, to celebrate the name of the Most High. (The grave cannot celebrate thee. Isa 38.)
2. To distinguish by solemn rites; to keep holy. (From even to even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath. Lev 23.)
3. To honor or distinguish by ceremonies and marks of joy and respect; as, to celebrate the birth day of Washington
We celebrate birthdays.
We celebrate holidays.
We celebrate new employment.
We celebrate raises and promotions.
We celebrate sport teams winning.
We celebrate our kid’s accomplishments.
We celebrate victories and winnings.
We celebrate loved ones coming home.
We celebrate graduations.
We celebrate anniversaries.
We celebrate births.
We celebrate weddings.
Our lives are filled with- time and effort, money and organization, of planning and enjoying various celebrations every year. We toast, we laugh, we shout, we cheer, we dance, we smile, we take photos, we joyfully speak about the occasion, we give gifts, we dress up, we have fun, we greet people cheerfully… Celebrations are great and we often talk about them for weeks after. I just was thinking:
When do we celebrate God?
Do we spend the same time, effort, money and such? Do we toast, laugh, shout, cheer and such? Do we talk about Him for weeks after celebrating Him? If we can celebrate all these human accomplishments, why can’t we celebrate the very God who gave each of us life- and I mean REALLY celebrate?
“For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee…” (Is. 38:18) Man and angels were made to praise the Almighty God, for who He is and what He has done. If we don’t, Jesus said even the stones could cry out (Lk, 19:40 ). God made us and we are to “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (Ps. 100:4). Sure sounds like a celebration to me!
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Ps. 150