In our world today there are many celebrations to be had. The world-famous kind like Christmas and more niche ones like National Cherry Popsicle Day (USA) or National Teddy Bear Day (USA) – August 26, 2023 and September 9, 2023, respectively, for those that were curious about the latter two.
With so many celebrations it may feel daunting to add more to the calendar, but I’m going to really encourage you, read challenge you, to add a few specific ones you may not be celebrating currently.
The Biblical Feasts.
I will go over each as we move through the year, this being my first year of truly committing to focusing on Biblical celebrations. I encourage you to follow along.
As we strive to be intentional in our walk with Jesus, these are eye-opening and fun opportunities. We can engage the whole family and our friends, and together, celebrate what He celebrated, diving into the joy or solemnity of each as He would’ve felt them.
Shavuot happens to be one of great joy. In fact, I could wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Wait, isn’t that a fall thing (at least for my fellow Americans)?
Well, yes. However, this Thanksgiving – Shavuot – marks one of the largest Jewish celebrations, commonly known in most English-speaking countries as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.
And there are many reasons to be thankful!
- The end of the Counting of the Omer (moving from Passover to Shavuot)
- The wheat harvest in Israel
- The giving of Torah to Moses, and subsequently the people of Israel, on Mount Sinai
- And while that last one might be the greatest gift of all to some, to us as Christians there’s still one more.
- The fulfillment of the words of Jesus!
In John 14:26 (NIV) – Jesus says
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
No drum roll needed for this big reveal, as we can see in Acts.
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4, NIV)
Shavuot, and indeed all of the Biblical feasts allow us to celebrate straight from the Old Testament through the New Testament. I hope you are encouraged today to celebrate!
This weekend, let’s remember that Jesus kept his word, keeps his word, and will come to see that the rest of his promises are met!
I pray you are able to spend time in grateful reflection and prayer, and then to gather around a table for amazing fellowship! Use tonight to read the scriptures of Acts out loud, eat great food, and share in the momentous experience of the disciples and all that were gathered there that day in Jerusalem.
Please share in the comments how you celebrate or plan to celebrate, if newly adding this to your family holidays. I love to see the many varied ways we can honor our Lord and Savior!
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