It’s a jolly Holi Day!

The Hindu festival of Holi (in Sanskrit: होली ) is currently being celebrated. This festival is known for its vibrant colours; and indeed it is also called the ‘festival of colours’ or the ‘festival of love’. The festival celebrates the end of winter and the start of spring and represents the triumph of good over evil. On this day hindus focus on the day as a time to have fun, celebrate, play, laugh, forget the wrongs of the past, forgive and repair broken relationships. It is also a time for people to give thanks for a good harvest.

The festival lasts for two days, starting on Sunday 12th March this year, and ending on Monday 13th of March.

After all of the fun flinging coloured powder and water at each other, people clean themselves up in the evening and go visit friends and family.

In reading up about Holi and its traditions and the stories associated with it, I couldn’t but help think of the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3, which states that “He [God] has also set eternity in the human heart“. When I look at other faiths from around the globe, and even some films that are being madetoday, I am aware of echoes and hints of the gospel that are being displayed. Hints and touches that show that God’s great story of redemption and love through His Son Jesus is in some way resonating in every human heart, even if they do not fully know or understand it.

Jesus is the one who overcame evil with good on the cross. Jesus is the one who saves us from the fires of judgement. It is through Jesus that we are forgiven and by His presence and power in our lives that we are able to forgive others. Jesus repaired the broken relationship that mankind had with God. And Jesus is God’s love in action. God’s love revealed.

In his book “The lion, witch and the wardrobe“, C.S. Lewis writes “Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” In this allegory, Aslan represents Jesus; and Jesus takes away the death of winter to replace it with the celebration of new life, the celebration of spring.

As regards the festival of colour; what is more colourful than a rainbow?

In the story of Noah we have God promising to not flood the earth again, and for the rainbow to be the sign of God’s faithfulness to us. Also in the book of Revelation, when John sees the throne in heaven he describes the following “And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” – Revelation 4:3. Jesus, the King of kings is encircled by a rainbow as He sits triumphant on His throne.

In fact, for us as Christians, the great celebration that we are looking forward to is when Christ returns, triumphant and takes us to be with Him. It is at this great harvest at the end of the age where we will be singing our praise and thanks to God for redeeming and delivering us. It will be a time where the past is forgotten. Indeed God Himself will wipe away every tear. It will be a time full of colour, love, forgiveness, restoration. All other celebrations, such as a wedding celebration, are but shadows of what is to come.

So on this day when many people around the world are celebrating Holi; let us celebrate our great Saviour, Redeemer, Lover, Forgiver, Friend and King – Jesus!

It’s all about Him and it will always be about Him!

Be blessed!