God gave the Hebrews, his called-out people, a special gift; seven gifts, actually: seven holidays to be observed throughout the year. These holidays--holy days, in the truest “set apart” sense of that word—are called feasts or festivals, each of which has a certain, special meaning. The feasts God gave (all seven of which are described in Leviticus 23) look back and look forward. In fact, together the seven feasts proclaim the entire story of God’s redemptive work for his people…and not only the “Old Testament” work, but the work of Jesus Christ, from his voluntary, substitutionary death on the cross to the climax of his future reign as King over all.
November marks the beginning of our own “holiday season.” Although most of us don’t celebrate (or even know much about!) the seven feasts God gave, our holidays do help us to both look back and look forward. At Thanksgiving we look back with gratitude for the abundance and freedoms we enjoy in this nation; at Christmas we look back at Jesus’ birth and the promise that holds for our future.
A powerful aspect of the Bible’s feasts, and our holidays, is their repetitive nature. They come every year, at the same time. Their very repetition helps to focus our attention…hopefully, on God.
As we transition from our Whole Hearted series and into this holiday season, I want to encourage each of us to continue the simple, repeatable patterns we have begun: the Daily Office, keeping Sabbath, slowing down to be with God. Or, if you haven’t already, start making those habits part of your life. And just as the Bible’s feasts included a variety offerings made to God, so the holidays bring opportunities to move from gratitude to generosity. Look for ways God will invite you to share generously in his story of redemption this season.
I love being your pastor!
Pastor Randy
November marks the beginning of our own “holiday season.” Although most of us don’t celebrate (or even know much about!) the seven feasts God gave, our holidays do help us to both look back and look forward. At Thanksgiving we look back with gratitude for the abundance and freedoms we enjoy in this nation; at Christmas we look back at Jesus’ birth and the promise that holds for our future.
A powerful aspect of the Bible’s feasts, and our holidays, is their repetitive nature. They come every year, at the same time. Their very repetition helps to focus our attention…hopefully, on God.
As we transition from our Whole Hearted series and into this holiday season, I want to encourage each of us to continue the simple, repeatable patterns we have begun: the Daily Office, keeping Sabbath, slowing down to be with God. Or, if you haven’t already, start making those habits part of your life. And just as the Bible’s feasts included a variety offerings made to God, so the holidays bring opportunities to move from gratitude to generosity. Look for ways God will invite you to share generously in his story of redemption this season.
I love being your pastor!
Pastor Randy
