Max Lucado

  Week 2: Share the Joy

Day 9: A Celebration of Giving

"These are the feasts of the Lord,

holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed time."

Leviticus 23:4

Situation in Leviticus 23:1--25:55

In the Old Testament, God established several holidays that symbolized the Israelites' special relationship with him. 

Observation

Special holidays remind us of the past and give us joy in the present. Feasts help renew our commitment to God. In the New Testament, the celebration of the Lord's Supper reminds us of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and calls us to renewed commitment.

Inspiration

The idea of a holiday that emphasizes giving (and giving back) is not new to Christmas. Ancient Israel was commanded to celebrate the year of Jubilee. Beginning on the Day of Atonement, all the fields were allowed to rest. No farming permitted. The fallow land could then recover from forty-nine years of planting and harvesting.

In addition, all the slaves were freed. Anyone who had been sold into slavery or who had sold himself into slavery to pay off debt was released. Bondage ended.

And as if the soil sabbatical and slave emancipation weren't enough, all property was returned to its original owners. In an agricultural society, land was capital. Families could lose their land through calamity, sickness, or even laziness. The Jubilee provision guaranteed that every family, at least twice a century, would have the opportunity to get back on its feet.

Consider the impact of this Jubilee decree. A drought destroys a farmer's crop and leaves the family impoverished. In order to survive, the farmer decides to sell his property and hire out as a day laborer. A sharp investor swoops into the region and buys the farm and also a neighbor's. Within short order the developer has a monopoly, and the farmer has nothing but a prayer.

But then comes the year of Jubilee. . . . God shakes the social Etch A Sketch, and everyone is given a clean slate. This injunction was intended to prevent a permanent underclass of poverty and slavery. People could still be rich, very rich, but they could not build their wealth on the backs of the very poor.

So far as we know, the people of Israel never regularly practiced the year of Jubilee. Still, Jesus alluded to it in his inaugural address. What does this say about God's heart? At least this: he values a level playing field. In his society the Have-a-Lots and the Have-a-Littles are never to be so far apart that they can't see each other.

We don't live in ancient Israel, and we don't celebrate the Year of Jubilee. But who says we can't incorporate some of their festivities into our holiday? Who do you know that has fewer resources than you? How might you be able to give them a little jubilation this Christmas through your generosity? You don't even have to tell them it came from you. Hey, 'tis the season--blame it on Santa.

(Adapted from Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado)