Celebrate snow and God

Grownups might grumble about snow days. They get frustrated because they have to find someone to stay with you, or because they have to go to work anyway when it's snowy, icy and hard to drive.

Jesus, though, would have loved snow days. He liked to celebrate special things -- and in this week's Gospel (Mark 2:18-22), He reminds His followers that having Him here on earth is special!

Some people in Jesus' time fasted (didn't eat for a while) as a way of showing their love for God. Jesus didn't ask His followers to do that. People asked, "Why not?" Jesus said, "If you go to a wedding, you're not going to skip the dinner. You wait till the party's over to do your fasting." And everybody knew having Jesus with them was like a party!

Kids have good ways to celebrate snow days. You jump back into bed and sleep late, go out and play in the snow, and come inside to drink hot chocolate and warm up. You wouldn't sit around feeling sad that there's no school!

Jesus hoped we'd celebrate how much He loves us in fun ways, too. "Fast later, after I'm gone," He told people. "Right now, we're together. Let's have a party!"

If Jesus was around for a snow day, He wouldn't be sitting in the house with the grownups, feeling angry. He'd be outside with you, laughing and throwing snowballs!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember that you came to show us how to be happy -- and celebrate! Amen.