“Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.” – Unknown
There is a rhythm to life that includes work, rest, worship, and play. God has planted the need for all four of these movements in the song that is your life, even if some serious minded friends scoff a little at the notion that play is ordained by God. Play is built around activities that are light, fun, and 
spontaneous—and that just doesn’t seem serious and sober enough for some. Certainly not religious.
And yet another word for play is recreation. And that’s just what happens when we play: we are recreated, receiving new energy and enthusiasm for our work and worship.
Now it’s true, in life we are called to exhibit self-control, soberness, discipline, and thoughtful consideration—but there is also a time to celebrate, to let loose, and to simply have a party.
Christmas is most definitely a time for serious reflection and worship. But don’t let anyone steal the joy of celebration that is part of the Christmas season from your life.
Maybe some revelers went too far in the Middle Ages. Some medieval celebrations involved imbibing too much and engaging in revelry that crossed the line into debauchery. But is it possible that the Puritans were just as wrong? They banned Christmas in an effort to purge the church of decadence—they even banned going to mass and things as innocent as mince pies.
Jesus, the Author of Christmas, the One we worship and celebrate at Christmas, was criticized sharply for attending parties: “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions” (Matthew 11:19).
One of Jesus’ most famous stories was of a son who wandered far from home, squandering all the material and moral resources his father had given him. But when he did finally come to his senses and return to his family, the father’s immediate response was to throw a huge party to celebrate having his son back home.
Christmas is a time when many return home for the holidays—both in a literal and figurative sense. Will you be having the time of your life at the party the father has thrown for his lost son or standing aside in judgment with the older son?
When we truly come home for Christmas, we rediscover that our Heavenly Father loves us so much He gave the gift of His Son.
That calls for a celebration!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4