Dance Like No One's Watching!

🧐 I’m sort of an etymology nerd (a study of the origin of words).  Sometimes I come across details of a word’s origin that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Recently I was researching the etymology of “celebrate” or “celebration” and learned that it is unknown.  The earliest attestation (say that 10 times, fast) originates from a mid-fifteenth century Latin book on agriculture which relates to “praise” and “esteem”.  Perhaps this was an acknowledgement of bountiful harvests or rain.

By the 17th century, the word was defined as “expression of joy” and, before the Latin word celeber was introduced, the Old English word for celebrate was freolsian (again, 10 times, fast) which roughly translates to “free from labor”.

But here’s what brought my neck hairs to attention:  “to observe duly; to keep…”  Indeed, I learned that the word observe is among the most relevant synonyms for celebrate.  The word keep is also high up in relevancy, ahead of phrases like “blow off steam”, “let loose”, and “make merry”.  

Now isn’t that fascinating?

There’s a story in the bible where Samuel, after defeating the Philistines, raises a large stone above his head, declares God’s faithfulness, and marks the spot of victory for future generations to remember.  He wanted them to observe the memory.  To keep the memory.  To celebrate the memory.

It strikes me that in order to celebrate well, we need to observe well.  

And the things we are observing?  🎗️We need to keep (remember) them well.  What does it mean to actually do this?

I’m not a great journalist, so I point 4 fingers at myself when I suggest that, as leaders, we write down the stuff we observe so that we can remember and acknowledge it in our celebrations.  I read once that it’s beneficial to “be generous with your praise and considerate with your criticism”.  

Let’s endeavor to celebrate generously.  

This doesn’t mean celebrations should be solemn and stuffy.  I have a good friend in major donor fundraising who told me that he sometimes celebrates by closing his office door and dancing wildly with his headphones on.  I💗that so much!  In fact, King Samuel’s successor, David, chose that route for celebration (II Samuel 6:14).  I’m guessing (hoping) my friend celebrates while wearing more than a linen ephod.

But that kind of merriment is my go-to depiction of celebration!  Laughter, cheers, dancing, refraining from work, and spreading joy.  It’s all good.  

Now we have something more to think about when we celebrate…What are we observing and what are we keeping?  What will help us remember (especially in more challenging times) God’s provision for our cause?

May you celebrate well!  Dance like no one's watching!  But remember to look around.  Observe, keep and celebrate.

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