Tip of My Iceberg

In a family the size of ours, there are birthdays happening constantly. In August alone, we have five birthdays.

That’s a lot of cake, ice cream, and candles.

Scout, who just turned five, celebrated with his three brothers and parents in Pennsylvania. He’s smart and sassy, quick-witted, and funny. He’s got a smile that fills his face. I wanted to be there with him. I wish I could have been two places at once; here in Florida and there in Mifflinberg. Celebrating with my family is one of the huge joys of life.

The week before, Thea turned two, our delightful little ice-cream-loving giggler of a girl. When asked what kind of cake she wanted, she said, “Ice cream!” Where Scout had wrestling matches with his brothers, Thea sat enthroned on her high chair with a crown on her head.

Scout and Thea both loved their celebrations. Opening presents that brought them delight, surrounded by family who encouraged them, screamed with them, enjoyed them.

Celebrations, especially with family, can be riotous affairs, loud, crazy, and fun. A celebration is a special event, a time of festivities that gladden the heart. I’m well aware that not everyone has the opportunity to celebrate; life can be rough, and there are a lot of hurting people in the world. It’s why we need to persist in seeking chances to celebrate the small things, being grateful for the little blessings that do happen every day.

When I was younger, our family would hold family birthday gatherings where my Uncle Gus would make movies of all the relatives that were there. Aunts, uncles, and cousins by the dozens. At least that’s the way we saw it.

It never felt very celebratory. Whichever home it was always seemed stressed and overwhelmed, having worked hard to make sure everything was perfect, and then biding their time till everyone left and they could clean up. We kids gravitated to a single room, often whispering, not wanting to aggravate the adults.

Priest and professor Henri Nouwen once said, “Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy; it will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” His message: anticipate the newness of each day, whether it brings gladness or sorrow. We grow through both.

God Himself wrote the book on celebration. He celebrated the culmination of creation with a day of rest. Jesus constantly celebrated with His friends and followers. His first miracle was at a wedding in Cana.

Jesus’ greatest joy came when people understood and accepted the hope He’d come to offer people, the hope of forgiveness and salvation. “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:7.

What was so joyful about that?

Because heaven is real, and eternity will happen. We get to choose heaven. And that makes Jesus celebrate.

Scout and Thea celebrated getting another year older. They’re both excited about growing up.

As we grow older, it’s impossible to ignore the reality of the limits of our humanity.

The celebration Jesus longs for? The one with Him where the festivities last forever.