9:20 Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,
9:21 enjoining them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month, year by year,
9:22 as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday, that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor.
Sermon Title: From Sorrow to Celebration: God’s Power
Scripture Reading: Esther 9:20-22
Introduction:
Our scripture today from the book of Esther reminds us that even in the darkest of times, God is working behind the scenes to turn our sorrow into joy, and our mourning into celebration. We see this in the story of Purim, a time when God delivered the Jewish people from their enemies, leading them from fear and uncertainty to peace and gladness. As Queen Esther and Mordecai establish this annual celebration, they teach us the importance of remembering, of turning our victories into memorials that shape not just our faith, but the faith of generations to come.
Today, I want to talk about the power of Celebration, of how we turn the trials of our lives into testimonies of joy and deliverance. As African Americans, we know the importance of remembering—whether it’s the stories of our ancestors, the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, or even our personal journeys of faith.
We, like the Jews in Esther’s time, have experienced moments when God has turned our mourning into gladness. I also want to talk about Purim. Purim (????????? Purim?, lit.?'lots'; is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation
Purim is celebrated among Jews by:
a) Exchanging gifts of food and drink, known as mishloach manot.
b) Donating charity to the poor, known as mattanot la-evyonim.
c) Eating a celebratory meal with alcoholic beverages, known as se'udat Purim or "Mishteh".
d) Public recitation of the Scroll of Esther (????? ????? ?????), or "reading of the Megillah", usually in synagogue.
I am lifting this holiday because I know, it’s seems like we have way to many holidays but I want to suggest today that may be not, maybe we need to celebrate more I mean should not every day with Jesus be a celebration, shouldn’t we learn to bless the lord with all we are just because we have air in our lungs and a roof over our head and food on the table.
3 points and I’m on my way.
Point 1: Celebration as Resistance
The first thing we learn from Esther is that commemoration is a form of resistance. Queen Esther and Mordecai enjoin the Jews to keep Purim every year, not just to celebrate the victory, but to ensure that their story of survival is never forgotten. By commanding this festival, they resist the forces that sought to erase them.
In our context, African American history is filled with examples of how we’ve used memory and celebration as a form of resistance. From Juneteenth to Martin Luther King Day, we commemorate moments of deliverance not only to honor the past but to claim our right to exist, to flourish, and to be free. We celebrate because it reminds us—and the world—that no amount of oppression can keep us down.
I mean even Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites.
And Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in many countries around the world—mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations—on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. In Brazil, is but a big Fat Tuesday.
The Jews celebrated Purim as a way of saying, “We are still here, despite those who sought to destroy us.” In the same way, we celebrate our history, our culture, and our faith as a testimony that, through God’s grace, we are still here.
In your celebration there should be some push back some Fight Some resistance even in the celebration of frinds family and neighbors there needs to be some understanding that even in the fun and dance there is a plan of liberation and salvation. Like Ester we should never get so happy that we forget others that are on the front lines of our battle.
Point 2: Celebration As A Path To Joy
Second, Celebration isn’t just about resistance; it’s also a path to joy. Esther 9:22 tells us that the month of Adar was turned “from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday.” For the Jews, Purim was a time of feasting, sending gifts, and celebrating. Their mourning was transformed into joy.
In our own lives, we often go through seasons of mourning. We face challenges, loss, and heartache. But God has a way of turning those seasons of sorrow into moments of joy. When we look back and commemorate what God has done, we find that our faith is strengthened. We remember that if God could bring us through that trial, He can surely bring us through the next one.
As African Americans, we know this path to joy well. From the spirituals sung by our ancestors to the joyous worship we experience today, we have always known how to find joy in the midst of struggle. Our faith tells us that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
Celebration gives us the strength to move from mourning to joy, to find hope even in the hardest times.
Let me tell you. facing the current racial divides in America, we need more joy and good times because joy is both a form of resistance and healing.
Throughout history, our people have endured hardship, injustice, and pain, but we’ve always found ways to celebrate life, love, and community.
In times of deep racial tension, systemic inequality, and violence, Joy becomes a radical act of defiance against a world that seeks to break us down.
Joy uplifts our spirits, reminds us of our worth, and strengthens our communities. It brings balance to the constant struggle and keeps hope alive.
We need more moments of laughter, music, and celebration because they recharge us for the work ahead.
Whether it’s through family gatherings, cultural traditions, or simply creating space to breathe and relax, joy sustains our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Joy also breaks through the negative narratives often placed upon us, allowing us to see and celebrate our beauty, resilience, and creativity.
When we embrace moments of joy, we show the world that we are more than our pain—we are a people of strength, vision, and boundless love.
Move 3: Celebration as a Gift to Future Generations
Finally, Celebration is not just for us—it’s a gift to future generations. Esther and Mordecai made sure that Purim would be observed “throughout every generation” (Esther 9:28). They knew that the story of God’s deliverance needed to be passed down, not just for the current generation, but for the ones to come.
As black folks, we are called to do the same. The stories of our ancestors’ faith and endurance need to be passed down to our children and grandchildren. When we tell the stories of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Fannie Lou Hamer, we are giving our children a foundation of strength and hope. When we tell our own testimonies of how God has delivered us, we are planting seeds of faith in the next generation.
Our faith is shaped by the stories we tell and the celebrations we keep. Just as Purim reminded the Jews of God’s deliverance, our own commemorations—both personal and communal—remind us and our children of God’s faithfulness.
Closing Illustration: “Septima Poinsette Clark: A Modern-Day Esther”
As we come to a close, let me leave you with one final story that ties together the legacies of both Esther and Septima Poinsette Clark.
In the Bible, Esther risked her life by approaching King XSerSua, saying, “If I perish, I perish,” to save her people from annihilation. Her bravery led to the celebration of Purim, a festival marking the victory of the Jewish people over their oppressors. Esther’s courage not only saved her people, but it created a lasting legacy of hope and deliverance.
Septima Poinsette Clark, though born in a different time and context, echoed that same courageous spirit. Like Esther, she used her position strategically, teaching citizenship schools in the segregated South, empowering African Americans to read, write, and claim their voting rights.
One of her former students, who had once been unable to read, returned to her with tears in his eyes after passing his literacy test and casting his vote for the first time.
He told Septima, “This vote isn’t just for me; it’s for my children, my grandchildren, and for everyone who came before me who never had the chance.”
In that moment, Septima, much like Esther, witnessed the fruits of her courage and dedication. The tears of that man were like the joy of Purim—a moment of celebration after years of struggle, fear, and oppression. Through her quiet strength, Septima had restored not just one man’s dignity, but the dignity of an entire community. Her efforts, like Esther’s, continue to ripple through generations, turning mourning into joy and empowering those who had once been voiceless.
So, as we remember Esther’s story and Septima Poinsette Clark’s legacy, let us recognize that God calls each of us, in our own time, to stand in the gap for others. Just as He used Esther in the royal courts of Persia and Septima Poinsette Clark in the segregated South, God can use us to bring about change, justice, and celebration.
May we leave here today inspired by their courage and determined to follow their example, knowing that God can work through us to create legacies of faith, freedom, and hope for future generations. Amen.
These women, like Esther, left a legacy of faith and courage. And today, we honor their memory by continuing the work they began.
We commemorate their lives, not just as history, but as a living testimony to what God can do through those who trust in Him.
Conclusion:
So, as we leave here today, let us remember the power of celebration. Like Esther and Mordecai, let us resist the forces that would seek to erase us. Let us find joy in the midst of our struggles, trusting that God is always working for our good. Let me end by saying
There's a party going on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gon' celebrate your party with you, come on now
Celebration
Let's all celebrate and have a good time
Celebration
We gon' celebrate and have a good time
