The biggest thrill of the day

I don't mind all the hoopla about the Super Bowl.
I understand completely that some people are offended at all the money that is spent on this one cumulative party. In our culture in general, I think it is good for people to have something to celebrate.
The problem is that people are throwing the biggest party and devoting the most energy to the most temporary (if not superficial) thrill of the day -- the football game. While the church can't compete in hype, the biggest thrill of the day was gathering for worship on the sabbath -- celebrating Christ's victory over death and opening the path to life now and forever.
Sure, this is a high profile football game. But it won't give the peace of Christ to a restless soul. No football game will give the assurance of eternal life and the fellowship of the communion of saints. No football game will give the peace that passes understanding or the presence of the Holy Spirit interceding for us when life hurts too much to form the words. No football game can bring that deep, abiding joy of being the beloved of God and no football game can bring the forgiveness we so desperately need. No football game gives the strength to love our enemies and pray for those who do us wrong. No football game brings peace to the troubled, comfort to the broken-hearted or healing to the hurting.
It's fine with me to have a big party to end the pro football season -- as long as we keep it in perspective. The greatest thrill of the day was not celebrated on the football field, but in sanctuaries and chapels and hearts. The greatest of all thrills--no competition-- is the unsurpassed gift of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.