Celebrates God’s Goodness

Celebrates God’s Goodness

A HERO’S TALE

The threat was over. Wicked Haman —and everyone else throughout Persia who wanted to destroy the Jews —had been executed. Esther and Mordecai were heroes. God’s people were saved.

Now, it was time to party!

Mordecai, whom King Xerxes promoted to his second-in-command, and Esther sent letters to Jews everywhere in the vast Persian Empire, telling them to celebrate Purim. This new, two-day holiday was all about remembering God’s deliverance of his people. Esther 9:22 says that Jews were to celebrate Purim “with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor.”

Today, almost 2,500 years later, Jews still celebrate Purim, usually each March. During the holiday, Jews often read the entire book of Esther, and the listeners boo, hiss, stomp their feet, or shake noisemakers whenever Haman’s name is mentioned. It’s also customary during Purim to send gifts of food and drink to others and give money to charities.

Some Jews host carnival-like celebrations on Purim, performing plays and holding beauty contests. Other Purim traditions include greeting others with a phrase such as “Chag Purim Sameach!” (“Happy Purim Holiday!” for those of you who don’t speak Hebrew), masquerading, singing Purim songs, and eating yummy pastries called “Haman’s ears” and “Haman’s pockets.”

DECODING THE MESSAGE

Esther and Mordecai thought it was important to remember God’s deliverance. So they wrote, “This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews” (Esther 9:28).

Purim is one of many holy festivals the ancient Jews celebrated, including the weekly Sabbath and the annual feasts of Passover, Firstfruits, Weeks, Trumpets, Booths, and the Day of Atonement. All these special events remembered different aspects of God’s goodness toward Israel.

It’s important for us to remember God’s goodness too. What do you do to celebrate this? Do you read his Word to learn about all he’s done for you? Do you thank him through prayer? Do you worship him through songs and music? Do you tell others about the good things he’s given you? All of this is important to do.

As humans, we tend to forget things quickly. But the Bible is full of commands to remember all the blessings God has given us. God’s greatest gift to us is that he sent his own Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.

God has been so kind and loving to you. Celebrate his goodness!

BATTLE PLAN

Have you put your faith in Jesus? If so, plan a “Celebrating God’s Goodness” party on the date you were saved. Ask your parents for help to plan fun activities and turn it into an annual celebration of God’s goodness to you!