S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Bible nowhere instructs Christians to celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. This ...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Cherie Mitchell

I would agree with you. I would like to add that the feasts taught in Leviticus 23 were celebrated by the Israelites but are called the "Feasts of the Lord." Leviticus 23:2 

"Feasts" is mo'edim in Hebrew and means "appointed times, convocations, and (rehearsals)." They point ahead to something and it relates to the Lord.

Christ was crucified on Passover. Christ was buried on Unleavened Bread. He rose from the dead on First Fruits. He gave the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The spring (and summer - Pentecost) feasts have already been fulfilled during Jesus' first coming.

Then, we have the fall feasts. Rosh Hashanah (the "head of the year;" the day of the blowing of the shofar that gives man a call to repentance). This is also nicknamed "the day no man knows the hour." (It received that nickname due to the fact it is the only of the 7 feasts that was held on a new moon - the sky is darkened). The king was customarily coronated on this day, too.

Yom Kippur - the day of atonement. It is associated with Judgment Day when the names are finished being written in the Book of Life. Then, the Book is closed.

Tabernacles - looks ahead to the marriage supper of the Lamb and the rule and reign of Messiah for 1000 years.

Interestingly, it is thought that the pilgrims patterned the celebration of Thanksgiving after the Feast of Tabernacles. Tabernacles was a great celebration with lots of food.

Celebrations like Purim (to rejoice about the victory over Haman) and Chanukkah (the Feast of Dedication) were later added. While they aren't one of the "feasts of the Lord," both do have a lot to teach us about our faith.

For example, in Purim, we rejoice that Christ has defeated the anti-christ (represented by Haman).

In Chanukkah, it's a time of re-dedicating the temple back to God. Themes that are primarily focused on during this celebration include: 1) The lights - the Light of the World (Jesus). The candles are lit by one candle called the "Servant." It's a picture of Jesus, "the Light," who became a servant to his believers so that we, too, (because of His Light) could be lights to the world.
2) The oil - the oil used in the menorah reminds us of the Holy Spirit. 
3) The temple - reminds us that our bodies are the temple of the Lord.... and there are a lot more themes associated with it. One cool thing to note is that the only place that Chanukkah (the Feast of Dedication) is mentioned in the Bible is John 10:22.

Regarding the celebration of Christmas: the early Christians (mainly, Puritans) outlawed it. Charles Spurgeon preached against it and did not celebrate Christmas.

October 09 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report