Are you tired yet? Ready to get out and be with people? Why do we have such a strong drive to be with people? In any given year, there are hundreds of days celebrated! There is a “Hat Day” (January 15th), “National Hugging Day” (January 21st), and even a “Just Because Day” (August 27th). There are fun days, federally recognized days, or religious holidays. Why do we have such a need to celebrate? COVID-19 has surely amplified our need for any type of connection with others. Social distancing, physical distance, whatever you call it – it sucks to have to wait and be so patient, but it will be over soon.
In his address, “The Theology of Joy”, Dr. Willie James Jennings recalls when he was growing up that people had joy despite being poor and living under oppressive circumstances. He said, “people learned to have a good time with nothing because they had nothing.” He says joy is an act of resistance against despair, that despair drives us toward death in all of it’s forms: violence, hatred, debt, all dysfunctional conditions that strangle life. People, particularly those who have suffered, have learned to sing the songs of Zion in a strange land. No matter the circumstances or conditions, we as humans need to know how to celebrate and create.
Recently, one of my friends and fellow collaborator shared a meal that was developed during the Korean War at work. The meal is called “Budae-jjigae” which literally translates to “garbage” or “army-based” stew. It got its name from how the Koreans sifted through whatever the US troops left behind, which were mostly scraps of processed sausage, spam, and some canned beans. The stew is now made with kimchi or red pepper paste. They would “take what we could find and throw it into lukewarm water”. Budae is delicious, but the history of the dish is fascinating because how does someone take the “garbage life throws at you” and make it a delicacy?
As the great Stevie Wonder sang in “Joy Inside My Tears”, “baby, baby it’s you, you, you; made life’s history; oh baby, you’ve brought some joy inside my tears; baby you have done what no one thought could be; you brought some joy inside my tears”. How do people take nothing, even garbage, and couple it with their creativity to create a masterpiece? In the world’s history, the most remarkable expressions often are birthed in adversity, food, music, and cultural expressions. Dr. Jennings says that out of segregated joy, usually built to insult others, comes greatness. Greatness found in gathering. The flow of community life is the incubator for excellence, progress, and life.
The isolation of the past year has amplified our need for celebration. The ancient Hebrews were instructed to gather together three times a year. The gathering was a celebration, a national party. They celebrated the goodness of God, each other, and the break from their work and corporate life. They brought what they had to have a community party. Community celebrations are where we affirm each other, re-affirm shared values, and express belonging. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time for a celebration.
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