Twas the day before Thanksgiving (in America) and all through the stores, the people are buying food for those they adore. Shopping carts are full, table cloths are ironed, food will go in the oven and door bells will ring. Oh the joy of the holidays and the fun that it brings.

Holidays are to be times of celebration. A time to gather around a table with friends and family alike. It is time to eat food you usually only eat once a year, which is why it is so cherished and missed if it is not on the table. For it is not about the food, it is about the celebration that the food represents.

I was in a store the other day and I overheard a conversation between two cashiers, one saying to the other, after a challenging customer just left her register. She said, “That was nothing, it will only get worst as the days go on.” I paused and thought, this is probably true, but oh so sad.

I was pondering this scenario this morning and the Lord said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law.” (Hebrews 10:8). I realized the Lord was saying, some have turned the holidays into a must buy, must perform, must provide time of the year and it stresses them out.

The next thing the Lord said was, “If there is no joy in the celebration, do not buy anything for the celebration. It is meant to be a time of rejoicing not sacrificing.” I realized right then and there, we can sacrifice time, give offerings of food and drink, but miss the celebration of this season we are in.

The Lord is inviting us into the celebration! Smile, have fun, enjoy this time of the year. If it stresses you out, you are missing the whole point. Yes there are turkeys to make, cakes to bake, and drinks to provide, but it is all for the sake of the celebration. Those people working want to celebrate as well, so let’s make this time of the year a time of celebration, not obligation. Enjoy yourselves, it is festival time. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org