BIBLICAL HOLIDAYS
By Meghan J .
T
oday , we celebrate many special days . We look forward to eating a big feast with friends and family on Thanksgiving , decking the halls at Christmas , giving and receiving valentines on Valentine ? s Day , and watching fireworks on Independence Day , just to name a few of America ? s holiday traditions .
There are many other holidays observed both in America and in other countries and cultures . But celebrating special days isn ? t a custom that was started a couple hundred years ago . This is an idea that dates all the way back to Biblical times . When God released the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt , He gave them very special instructions to follow in order to save their first born sons from being killed . He also told them in Exodus 12:14-16 , ?? This is a day you are to commemorate ; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord ? a lasting ordinance . For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast . On the first day remove the yeast from your houses , for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be
"... remembering special days and events through traditional celebrations is not an idea that we came up with . It is an idea that God started thousands of years ago ."
cut off from Israel . On the first day hold a sacred assembly , and another one on the seventh day . Do no work at all on these days , except to prepare food for everyone to eat ; that is all you may do . ? So remembering special days and events through traditional celebrations is not an idea that we came up with . It is an idea that God started thousands of years ago .
The Israelites celebrated many different holidays and festivals including : the Festival of Unleavened Bread , the Festival of Harvest , the Festival of Ingathering , the Year of Jubilee , among many others . These celebrations were sacred to the Israelites and were appointed by God .
Biblical celebrations were different from today ? s celebrations as they were not observed in the same way our celebrations are today . Biblical celebrations were very ceremonial and sacred whereas , for the most part , today ? s celebrations are much more laid back , fun and are not required to celebrate .
So , while the celebrations of Biblical times were not exactly like the celebrations of today , it can still be said that all celebrations are centered around the remembrance of something . Whether it be the day God saved the Israelites ? firstborn sons , our love for those around us , or God ? s love for us when He sent His Son to save us , all holidays have a special meaning behind them and that is worth celebrating .
4 Alpha Omega Student Newsletter