Good morning, Five Minute Families! Are you in the Christmas spirit, or do you have a touch of the bah-humbugs? Getting into the mindset can be a challenge if we focus on only what we want. Yet, if we choose to focus on our blessings, on our triumphs – no matter how small, and of the possibilities of the future, then getting into the spirit of Christmas becomes much easier. Ultimately, our full focus needs to turn to what the season is all about – the birth of a baby who sacrificed His life for our eternal futures. Now, that is a real reason to celebrate.

That’s a good word. Celebrate. Celebrations. This past weekend we had the chance to witness a sweet proposal and to participate in the celebration that followed. This time of year, in America we have Christmas parades, Christmas pageants, Christmas cantatas, Christmas parties and more. A whole month of celebrations of the birth of Jesus and the joy of family and friends surrounding us.

Celebrations are biblical. There are the seven feasts or festivals of the Old Testament – celebrations of God and foreshadowing of the coming Messiah – Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself performed His first recorded miracle at a wedding celebration, and He used the parable of a wedding feast in Matthew 22:2.

Not only are we to celebrate God such as Psalm 34:3 and Psalm 95:2 show. We are also to celebrate each other. Some people say, “Never miss an opportunity to celebrate.” Of course, we do not want to lessen or cheapen the experience of celebration, but we also want to make sure that we enter into celebration frequently enough to receive the benefits of celebration.

Celebration brings better physical health. When people gather in celebration, laughter often ensues. Laughter literally helps the muscles relax, the blood pressure lower, and the airways open. Folks have a tendency to perceive less pain and express more gratitude. Organ transplant recipients were studied and it was found that those who expressed gratitude got better faster and functioned better, too. So, celebrate to improve your physical health.

Celebration brings better mental health. When we choose to focus on the triumphs and accomplishments of those we love, we release endorphins, and that allows for an overall feeling of better well-being. When we see those who are for us in life, no matter how small the circle we have may be, we more from fear to fellowship and faith.

Celebration brings stronger family relationships. Special events quite often become reunions, allowing for connection and endurance of family bonds.

Celebration strengthens community relationships. When we celebrate, we issue invitations to those who are important in our lives or in that specific accomplishment. Pastors, coaches, professionals such as doctors and teachers, parental friendships, peer relationships – all are bonded more deeply when celebrations are added.

Celebration brings a healthy self-concept. One website said it best, “A healthy person understands the whole arc of life as a continuous journey, punctuated by moments of pain and of joy but always changing. Special occasions are the milestones along this journey, chances to stop and reflect on life as a whole, and on the person who has lived it.”

I think if my sister ever decides to have a second career, she needs to be a party planner. She once took dollar store birthday party gift bags and turned them into decorations for our four-year-old’s birthday party. I had a cake and ice cream for his little party and a small gift bag per child coming, but that was it. No balloons, no decorations. I hadn’t even printed invitations. I simply made phone calls. It took her maybe 30 minutes to plan and execute her decorating the room with the gift bags and various child craft items our sons had, and our son loved it.

She has asked if she is doing too much at the setup of an event, but yet, it really isn’t about doing too much for her. She is showing that the person or persons being celebrated are important to her, that they are worthy of her time and planning and decorating and even the cleaning that comes afterward. She enjoys making someone feel special, that their moment is the most important thing right then. Of course, not all of us are going to have the time or money to invest in party decorations for all the different events that come along in life, but we all have the opportunity to show others that their special days, their special moments, matter to us.

So, if you can’t afford a banner and chargers and coordinated centerpieces and matching place cards and whatever else is out there, choose to make the person’s favorite meal, write a simple note of celebration, and say a special prayer out loud over the person.

Celebrate and be blessed!