Let’s party virtuously.
If that seems odd, it is because we have made one mistake or another. Some have made otherwise harmless behaviors “naughty.” Go read Shakespeare and relax. Others glory in their shame and cannot have fun without decadence. Go read Shakespeare.
Generally, go read Shakespeare, but if you insist on staying, then recollect that there are three great Christian virtues and the third day of Christmas is a wonderful time to remember them: hope, faith, love. The best party will have all three. A boring party isn’t virtuous and a fun party may or may not be a good party.
The best celebration will be passionate, because we are emotional beings. Ideally, it will be smart, because we have minds. Ultimately, it is hard to have fun if the party isn’t aware that tomorrow will come.
I have been to events that pretend that the event is the “biggest thing ever.” The only problem is that tomorrow came and the hangover wasn’t worth the fun.
Here are the virtues with one tip about how it fits the celebration that has just begun here on the Third Day of Christmas.
Hope is the vision of what should be over against what is. The best celebration will start with a vision of what could be at the end of the party. When we come together, what do we want? We need not plan the party activities, but we should think out the party goals! Christmas is a celebration of eternity coming to time. We should strive for eternal goods . . . a bit of timelessness to our fun.
This isn’t about what we do, but the people with us. If you want to wear a funny hat (ahem!) do it, but do see the people around you as what God can make of them and not just what they are.
Be hopeful. See the good and not the bad without justifying the bad. Treat others as we would hope to be treated: seeing our best and not our worst.
Faith is hope made substantial. Stupid Internet atheism (as opposed to the mentors I have had who happened not to believe in God), thinks faith is just believing in what you want. That’s a good way of describing stupidity and no mainstream Christian believes this.
Instead, faith takes what should be and begins to add best reason and experience to our hopes. We hope that the crazy relative will not offend everyone, but we are not blind. We go into the dinner aware of what probably will be. Hope sees what could be and then faith sees what has come from hope.
Faith allows us to adjust our hopes, things that should be, but are not yet, to what is. We can be safe and hopeful. Our parties should begin in hope, but be guided by faith.
Love is the power we need to see God: the source of all virtue, wisdom, and joy. The best party is powered by love and will leave the party goers better off the next day than they were. Love denies nothing, but acts on what is best for the beloved in the light of eternity. This can be difficult, but when practiced means fun without a hangover.
In any case, let us recall that we suffer for only part of a lifetime, but party for eternity. We need to spend time thinking about how to feast!
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
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