'Tis the Season

As I have studied more and more on what the Lord asks of us and what we actually do. As the "holiday" season is here, I am realizing more and more that most of our traditions, some to which I cling so tightly, have nothing, yes, nothing to do with what we pretend they do, and, in many cases, are an abomination.

"But...", you say, "when else would we celebrate Jesus' [ahem, Yahushua] birth? or have a day that was about family when we can give without worrying? What about Jesus' death? Should we not honor that? What about Thanksgiving, is it not important to take a day for gratitude?"

Well, I'm totally with you- acknowledging, and celebrating on occasion, events of Yahushua's life is extremely important. So it fellowship with family and friends AND giving without worrying. But Jesus is not the reason for the season. Not "Christ"mas, not Easter, obviously not Thanksgiving, but, get this. . .

HE is the reason for EVERY one of Yahweh's holy days:

He was born on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. John 1:14 ("dwelt"; literally "tabernacled"); Revelations 21:3 (speaking of Christ as the "tabernacle of God")

He was circumcised on the Eighth day (Luke 2:21)

He was crucified on Passover. (Not Easter!) (Exodus 12:11, 1 Corinthians 5:7)

He was buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Exodus 23:16, 1 Corinthians 5:7,8)

He was resurrected on Firstfruits. (Exodus 23:16, 1 Corinthians 15: 20-23, James 1:18, Revelations 4:4)

He baptized the new church on Pentecost. (Mark 1:8, Acts 2:4)

He will return as King and resurrect the dead on Feast of Trumpets. (Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16)

He will judge the world on the Day of Atonement (Acts 10:42, 17:31 "appointed day", Romans 2:16, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:1 and 8, Revelations 19:11

He will live as King on Earth beginning at Feast of Tabernacles (2 Corinthians 6:16, Revelations 21:3)

And he will create a new heaven and a new Earth on the eighth day. (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelations 21:1)

from Fresh Thoughts From the Laundry Room

Before you accuse me of being bah-humbug, look once again over those feasts and tell me you don't see all of the aforementioned events recognized. There is a day to celebrate thanksgiving, The Feast of Tabernacles--not to mention our sabbath rests every week, and every month. His birth (and the beginning of His reign as King on earth occur during the Feast of Tabernacles. There is a day to honor Jesus' death, the Day of Atonement (which, in my opinion, seems like a far more appropriate response of sobriety versus the silliness of eggs and bunnies).

Up until lately these ideas were foreign to me, but once I realized them, they felt just right.

Praise YHWH for knowing what we need and creating times for everything. How can man-created traditions compare?

I am in awe. That is the feeling I want to always have on "holy" days, every day, actually. Following Elohim's Word brings that in a way a pine tree and egg basket don't seem to match.
SHABBAT SHALOM