Joy to the World: Paint the Town Red for Christmas

Do you know how to paint the town red?

Born the first day of December, I enjoy celebrating my birthday (along with my twin sister) in the same month as Christmas.

And every year my special day proves fun-filled and momentous.

Joy marks the occasion. So we paint the town red.

My family usually takes me out to eat, then we head home to blow out candles, enjoy cake, and open gifts.

But where did the expression “Let’s paint the town red!” originate?

And how exactly does one go about it?

Paint the Town Red

I found a plethora of answers for painting the town red. Here are a few:

• From Google, “go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.” Synonyms: “celebrate, have a party, live it up, have a ball.”
• “Go on a drinking bout; get drunk. Some believe it refers to setting something on fire” (The Free Dictionary).
• Violence. Dating back to the 1800’s, an article in The Phrase Finder, “The allusion is to the kind of unruly behavior that results in much blood being spilt.”

How sad the association to drunkenness and violence.

Still, there’s no unruly behavior going on when my family celebrates. For my birthday, keep in mind the glitter and sparkle of painting the town red.

The Red Blood of the Lamb

Yet, a powerful Bible story describes “much blood spilt” to paint the town red. In Exodus 12, the Israelites put blood from a lamb without blemish on two doorposts and the panel above the door of each house. The Lord’s Passover.

Blood gave protection from the final plague God brought on Pharaoh and the land of Egypt for refusing to release His people from slavery. Every firstborn male, people and animals, would die.

“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13 (ESV)

After that fatal night, Pharaoh let the people go. So the Lord instructed His people to celebrate the Passover every year.

Red for Christmas 

Years later, a perfect Lamb without spot or blemish once again provided passover blood. Jesus, God’s Son, willingly gave His life and blood for spiritual death to passover God’s children.

Physical death may strike, but spiritual death cannot touch those in Christ.

“You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV)

In December, my birth month, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Joy marks the occasion. Joy to the world!

Because when we celebrate Jesus coming, we also celebrate Calvary’s cross and the resurrection.

In December, my birth month, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus. Joy marks the occasion. Joy to the world! Because when we celebrate Jesus coming, we also celebrate Calvary’s cross and the resurrection. Share on X

Paint the Town Red This Christmas

(1.) Join God’s celebration.

Yes, joyfully gather with family and friends for those fun-filled and momentous traditions and activities. But also remember to celebrate the birth of Jesus who came to die for us and save us. In my husband’s family, we have a birthday cake for Jesus to remember the reason for the season.

(2.) Spread the good news of Jesus birth.

We intentionally celebrate the Christ of CHRISTmas and the glad tidings of His birth. Just like the angel of the Lord who appeared to the shepherds:

“ And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'” Luke 2:10-12 (ESV)

Joy to the World

(3.) Proclaim how Jesus blood was spilled to give us life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)

“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28 (ESV)

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 (ESV)

Let's paint the town red for Christmas! Spread the good news of Jesus birth and how Jesus blood was spilled to give us life. Joy to the world! Share on X

Let’s paint the town red for Christmas!

Photos courtesy of Friday’s Forever on YouTube.

Last week’s article, My Grown-Up Christmas List.

Sometimes I participate in these link-ups: Let’s Have Coffee/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).

---

© 2024 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved