How Should Christians Observe God's Biblical Feast Days Instead of Holidays With Pagan Origins?

Information Related to "How Should Christians Observe God's Biblical Feast Days Instead of Holidays With Pagan Origins?"

It's clear from God's Word that the weekly seventh-day Sabbath and annual festivals, listed in Leviticus 23, are special to Him and that He expects His people to keep them as special observances to Him. Jesus Christ and the early Church continued in them. And they teach us about Christ's role in the progression of God's great plan of salvation.

The weekly Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, is a day of rest on which we are not to work. Our customary work is also forbidden on God's annual Holy Days. Although specific details aren't given in every case, God told His people to hold special worship services during these occasions. On the weekly Sabbath and annual Holy Days we attend "holy convocations" or commanded assemblies (Leviticus 23:4).

In honoring His commands, today we conduct services that include sermons and congregational hymns, preceded and followed by Christian fellowship. On annual Holy Days, the messages focus on aspects of the significance of the festivals we are observing.

The first of the annual festivals listed is the Passover, a memorial of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins, redeeming us from death. Accordingly, this period of the year is approached with deep spiritual introspection. We commemorate the Passover on the evening that begins the 14th day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar (which in 2025 falls on April 11 after sunset) with a service based on the accounts in the four Gospels and the apostle Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28.

The evening service begins with a brief explanation of its purpose, followed by washing of one another's feet (based on Jesus' example and instructions in John 13). Then explanation is given for the symbols of unleavened bread and wine representing the body and blood of our Savior. Baptized members of the Church eat a small piece of unleavened bread and drink a small amount of wine to signify acceptance of that sacrifice. Although it is one of God's festivals, Passover is not listed as a Holy Day or Sabbath (although this year it coincides with the weekly Sabbath).

The next night is the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This seven-day festival starts and ends with an annual Sabbath day on which church services are held. (In 2025, the first day begins April 12 at sunset, with services on April 13. The last day begins April 18 at sunset, with services on April 19.)

For this Feast, we are to remove from our homes in advance all leavening agents that cause bread to rise in baking, such as yeast or baking soda, and all leavened bread products, and not eat any during the feast-these symbolizing sin during this week (Exodus 12:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Instead, we eat unleavened bread during this time, picturing living a Christlike life by avoiding sin and partaking of Christ as the true Bread of life to live by His righteousness.

The evening that begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread is a special memorial of the Exodus from Egypt, picturing the deliverance from our past sinful lives, referred to as a "night to be much observed" (Exodus 12:42, King James Version). Groups gather in homes or other places for a fellowship meal that includes discussion of the significance of the evening.

The next festival, Pentecost, is an annual Sabbath that always falls on a Sunday, the 50th day of a count starting with the Sunday during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Then several months later come the festivals in the latter part of the year, starting with the Feast of Trumpets. We are not to do customary work on these days, and both are observed with holy convocations. (In 2025, Pentecost services are on June 1, and Feast of Trumpets services are on Sept. 23, each Holy Day starting the evening before at sunset.)

On the next of God's Holy Days, the Day of Atonement, God instructs us to "afflict" ourselves for this 24-hour period. In other scriptures this refers to fasting-going without food and drink (Leviticus 23:27-29; compare Psalm 35:13, KJV; Isaiah 58:3,5). In Acts 27:9, this Holy Day is called "the Fast." Young children and those with medical conditions for whom fasting could be detrimental to health are not expected to fast in this way. (In 2025, the Day of Atonement starts at sunset Oct. 1, with services on Oct. 2.)

Most of the festivals are observed in local congregations or at times in a gathering of several nearby local congregations. The exception to this is the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day immediately following. Members and their families gather in centralized locations throughout the United States and around the world for the entire eight-day period (in 2025 from sunset Oct. 6 to sunset Oct. 14).

We observe this main festival season of the year with church services on each of the eight days along with the opportunity for fellowship and recreation outside of services. The first day and Eighth Day are both Holy Days on which no customary work is done. This festival period, foreshadowing the coming reign of Jesus Christ on earth, is to be a time of great spiritual and physical enjoyment for everyone (Deuteronomy 14:26), so sharing meals and enjoyable activities with fellow Church members at area attractions is encouraged. And our celebration includes programs and events for families, seniors, teens and young adults.

There is great joy and connection in meeting with God's people at these holy times He has given us.

📖 Learn More About... God's Sabbath Rest

📖 What does the Bible say about... The Biblical Festivals?

Related Information:

Table of Contents that includes "How Should Christians Observe God's Biblical Feast Days Instead of Holidays With Pagan Origins?"
Other Articles by Tom Robinson
Origin of article "How Should Christians Observe God's Biblical Feast Days Instead of Holidays With Pagan Origins?"
Keywords: holidays holydays pagan holidays God's holydays

Holydays - observance today:

Holidays:

Key Subjects Index
General Topics Index
Biblical References Index
Home Page of this site

How Should Christians Observe God's Biblical Feast Days Instead of Holidays With Pagan Origins?

Realizing Christians should reject holidays of pagan origin like Easter and Christmas and instead keep God's holy feast days commanded in Scripture, how do we do this?