What does the Bible say about Celebration?
Celebration is a spiritual discipline.
Celebration in the Bible is frequently experienced collectively by participation in the community to focus on the greatness and the glory of God through his mighty activity. (See Deut 26:10-12; 2 Sam 6:12-16; 1 Kings 1:40, 8:65; 1 Chron 12:39-40, 23:30-32; 2 Chron 30:25-27; Neh 12:42-43; Ecc 2:24, 3:12-14.)
Dallas Willard, a brilliant Christian theologian, and author states, “We engage in celebration when we enjoy ourselves, our life, our world, in conjunction with our faith and confidence in God’s greatness, beauty, and goodness. We concentrate on our life and world as God’s work and as God’s gift to us. Typically, this means that we come together with others who know God to eat and drink, to sing and dance, and to relate stories of God’s action for our lives and our people” (179). [1]
How, then, are we to live?
In Romans 14, Paul addressed divisions over diet and holy days (14:5), and concluded that we are to live for each other (7), honor the Lord (8), act in love (15), and aim for harmony in the church (19). Paul discusses in chapter 15, that building each other up as well as encouragement is crucial for harmony as we wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled (4-5).
In the Old Testament, Passover directly correlated with Israel’s deliverance. Jesus celebrated Passover in the New Testament, which became referenced as The Lord’s Supper on the night he was betrayed. Today, we participate in the Lord’s Supper to remember the sacrifice that Christ made for our salvation and future glory as believers. This celebration is an important part of our Christian heritage.
Black History is American History.
A true student of history desires to know ALL of history. Archeologists dig up the soil to find, confirm, and refute the narratives of civilizations and cultures.
Black history is American history. However, if the national narrative of Black history neglects critical facts, is blatantly inaccurate, or even banned in certain regions of the country, it can be obvious why preconceived notions and misshaped attitudes exist.
World renown pastor and Bible scholar Dr. Tony Evans states, “To be fair, we have come lightyears away from slavery, Jim Crow laws, and other overt displays of racial hatred. But tolerance is still a far cry from reconciliation. The mere fact that we remain relationally separated most of the time, only coming together for an event or cross-cultural seminar, shows how far we need to go.” [2]
I believe that Black history month acknowledges that for Christians, God has always been the true source of hope, joy, and peace (Rom 15:13). God brought a people out of bondage. He can be trusted, despite the yet-to-be-fulfilled ideals America was founded upon.
Heroes of Faith and History
Members of the black race have contributed immensely to our daily lives. George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist and inventor whose faith in God and daily prayer routine resulted in hundreds of inventions that revolutionized farming and the foods we consume today.
Ida B. Wells was one of the nation’s first investigative journalists whose integrated faith and conviction about race-based suffering gave her the courage to withstand death threats and violence. She chronicled and exposed thousands of lynchings in the southern United States and brought worldwide attention to these horrific events. She integrated religious parables in her work and highlighted the contradictions of these immoral acts and Christian values, which had not been done prior. [3]
Fredrick Douglass, an author and one of the greatest American thinkers, was known as a friend and positive influence to President Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe initially had an inhumane view of Black people; his primary concern was to preserve the union. History tells us that this friendship with Douglass helped shape Lincoln’s attitudes that resulted in the treatment of Blacks with respect and dignity as image-bearers of God when this was not a public practice. [4]
May these brief stories increase your appetite to learn about more individuals who harnessed the power of faith, prayer, conviction, love, and friendship to overcome racism and transform this nation.
Share Your Knowledge
A key takeaway is to find something new to learn and then celebrate. Would you be bold enough to share some of this knowledge from the pulpit, with friends, or with family? Rather than wait for a school curriculum to teach your children, will you provide books to read or documentaries to spark their engagement?
We know about top athletes like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams or entertainers like the late Michael Jackson, but do you know about African church fathers such as Tertullian, Origen, Irenaeus, or Augustine? These men helped explain challenging theological concepts such as the divinity of Christ and the Trinity.
Their work has and will continue to influence our worship for all time. This is one example of how the general population has little knowledge of the people who played significant roles in American history and even world history.
Why February?
February was selected as the month to celebrate due to the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln. Carter Woodson is referred to as the father of Black history. Initially, he desired to educate African Americans about their heritage in 1926 through “Negro History Week.”[5]
After its 50th anniversary, universities and prestigious organizations soon realized that a week was not long enough, and every US president since 1976 has honored the tradition of Black History Month.[6] During February, many organizations have their biggest events where the awareness is the greatest and the best is on display.
What Can You Do?
Not unlike the Easter season in a traditional church setting, this is when you can see excellent live productions, participate in many free events, and enjoy activities with the entire family. Why not use your favorite streaming platform to watch a documentary with the family? Visit your local library where they highlight authors, books, and video series, or inquire why they do not have this information highlighted.
This is also a great time to financially support non-profit organizations with limited resources to provide more information throughout the year.
Many churches observe the Lord’s supper on the first Sunday of the month without limiting the practice to only that time. We easily see the value of setting that time aside to prevent forgetfulness. Likewise, Black History Month proves an opportunity to learn about many unheralded feats that have strengthened this nation. Few oppose October being breast cancer awareness month because we care for the cause. We get to participate in events such as marathons. As a result, awareness is gained on how we can be a part of the journey of someone who is suffering.
Yes, we should celebrate Black history year-round. But will we? Will you? It will take time for the history books to accurately reflect the spectrum of achievements in literature, engineering, science, history, food, fashion, videography, and entertainment. Those achievements are ongoing. We can start in February until that time is fulfilled and the acknowledgment becomes consistent.
Addressing Dissenters
Some people might never read this article or participate. Some might say we just need to move past the celebration of one people group or the mention of slavery, Jim Crow, or the Civil Rights Movement.
Did God do that with Israel? Or did he tell them to remember when they were slaves in Egypt not just to focus on how they were brutalized, but that 1) It was always God’s plan to deliver them and 2) They prayed to be free, and God granted that request, so they should remember their history. Could you imagine if Pharaoh controlled the narrative of the children of Israel? The Israelites had to tell their story as a testament to all people so that their story wouldn’t be marginalized, maligned, or misrepresented.
To those readers whom this has made an impact, can you be deputized as an investigator? Inquire of friends and family why this celebration makes them uncomfortable? It is too easy in our day to scroll beyond, change the channel, write-off, click away, or ignore rather than to surrender those feelings to God and let him search the heart (Psalm 139:23-24).
Do those who find this holiday divisive make any effort to build unity outside their circle of comfort? Or show empathy at all? Do they feel that we should forget the Alamo, Pearl Harbor, or 9-11? Of course not! Again, since Black history is American history, it deserves equal significance.
It’s All About Unity
Do not allow this article to be labeled as political (it is not) or something else as a way to wash one’s hands of the truth it contains. Contrary to some opinions, this celebration of Black history is how we get to unity. How?
By acknowledgment of past and present injustices, regardless of personal participation (ever hear of original sin?). Then by joining in the affirmation, acceptance, and recognition of the achievements of many Blacks who have helped to make America a great nation.
Pray for those who do not understand or do not care, that God will soften their hearts. May they realize that celebrating Black history helps us to relate in a healthy and empathic way to our brothers and sisters. Not just in a span of 28 or 29 days, but that the information we position ourselves to learn helps us to love better throughout the year.
by James E. Francis, Jr., EdD, APC
Available at our Buckhead Location or online
james@restorationcounselingatl.com, ext 118
James helps with anxiety, anger, depression, life transitions, resilience, and spiritual maturity. He believes that therapy should be clinically excellent and theologically accurate. He prioritizes the integration of Scripture with elements of psychology to operate a holistic growth model. James uses reflective prayer to help individuals align their beliefs with Scripture. He then walks beside them to promote step-by-step healing from the pain of the past. James’ goal is to hold individuals accountable through encouragement and empowerment by activating their drive toward spiritual maturity.
References
[1] Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. San Francisco: Harper, 1991. [2] http://tonyevans.org/blog/why-black-history-matters [3] Wanda A. Hendricks. Review of Patricia A. Schechter, Ida B. Wells-Barnett and American Reform 1880-1930 and Schechter, Patricia A., Ida B. Wells-Barnett and American Reform, 1880-1930. H-SHGAPE, H-Net Reviews. March, 2002. http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=6022 [4] Frederick Douglas, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Letter and speech July 5, 1852. Available here: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/coretexts/_files/resources/texts/c/1852%20Douglass%20July%204.pdf [5,6] https://www.history.com/news/the-man-behind-black-history-monthRelated Internet Articles
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/we-need-black-history-month
https://bibleresources.americanbible.org/resource/black-history-month
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/february-web-only/gods-place-in-black-history.html