Author: Holy Branches

I’m a Gentile Believer, a devoted mother of five wonderful children, and the wife of an amazing husband. Nature, gardening, and dance bring joy and inspiration to my life. In my spare time, I play the piano, care for my garden, or study the Bible in Hebrew. And I’ll drop just about anything for a game of cards. My unwavering quest for a genuine relationship with the God of the Bible has driven me to delve deeply into His Word, which guides my journey and shapes my life's path. This exploration, combined with dedication to living out my faith, is at the heart of my writing. I seek to share my insights and discoveries with readers, encouraging them to embark on their own spiritual journeys.

At-A-Glance Guide to the Biblical Feasts

Written by Holy Branches on January 14, 2025. Posted in Bible Study, Hebraic Roots, Traditions. No Comments on At-A-Glance Guide to the Biblical Feasts

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According to the Bible, there are seven Feasts that God calls His Feasts (Lev. 23:2, Ez. 44:24) and commands His people to keep. Although it became rare for Christians to keep these Feasts in recent times, many are returning to a more Biblical way of life and realizing all that God has to teach us through these Feasts!

Celebrating Biblical Feasts: In Your Home or Church By Martha Zimmerman

Each Feast teaches us about our God’s attributes. By observing these Feasts, we can learn what a wonderful God He is! The Feasts also teach us about ourselves, how we should live as His people, and what our relationship with Him should look like.

These Feasts are also prophetic. When God commanded them, he wanted His people to look back on what He had done for them in the past and forward to the rest of the story of Him and His people.

One important thing – the Sabbath is covered before these Feasts are listed in the Bible. It’s the holiest of all the Feasts, and observing it demonstrates to God, others, and ourselves that we belong to God. Although it’s not on this list, it’s of great importance in the life of any Believer. For more info on the Sabbath and how to keep it, visit this page.

Below, I will cover each Feast very briefly. Know that, with each Feast, you can go more into the practices, symbolism, sacrifices, where they occur in the Bible, etc., and learn more of what God has for you with each of them. Here, I want to cover the basics for those who want to see just a summary of these Feasts and their meanings.

????️ Print-friendly PDF Biblical Feast Chart

Passover

Passover is the first Feast of the year, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. It helps us remember how God redeemed His people from captivity and brought them out so they could freely worship Him. Like the blood on the doorways of the Hebrew people in Egypt was a protective covering from the plague of the firstborn, the blood of Jesus provides a covering for our sin.

Passover (Pesach in Hebrew, meaning “skip”) is usually celebrated with a seder. In this seder, the story of the Exodus is retold, and each aspect of it is “experienced” by the participants. It’s a time of celebration, and each element of the seder represents a part of this incredible story.

Unleavened Bread

Just after Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Observing this Feast is to remember the Exodus further and that the Israelites needed to flee Egypt in a hurry and didn’t have time to leaven their dough before leaving. Leaven often represents sin in the Bible, so the lack of leaven represents sinlessness. Jesus fulfilled this Feast by following the Laws of the Torah and was, therefore, a pure candidate for atonement.

Unleavened Bread is called Matzah in Hebrew, so this Feast is Biblically called the Feast of Matzah. It is observed by eating unleavened bread for seven days and even cleaning all the leaven out of the home (Ex. 12:19). The first and seventh days of Unleavened Bread are Sabbaths.

First Fruits

The first of something, like the harvest, firstborn child, or firstborn animals, were given to God as an offering, thanking Him for providing and putting faith in Him to continue to provide in the future (Deut. 26:1; Ex. 13:1-2, 11-16). During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits is a time to bring the first of what we reap to God and look to Jesus as the first and best offering to God. He’s also the first of those to be raised from the grave (1 Cor. 15:20).

The Hebrew word for First Fruits is Bikkurim, which comes from the same root word as the word for “firstborn,” which is bekhor. It’s commonly thought that Jesus rose from the dead on First Fruits, so many celebrate his resurrection during this two-day celebration.

Shavuot

Starting on First Fruits, many “count the omer.” This practice comes from Leviticus 23:15-16, where God says to count 7 Sabbaths or 50 days from First Fruits, then to observe Shavuot. We symbolically prepare our hearts to receive the Law and the Spirit during this time, and Shavuot is a Sabbath.

Shavuot is a time to celebrate God giving us His Law (Yes, it’s worth celebrating!) and eventually His Spirit to live in us. His Law was given on Mount Sinai, and the prophetic side of this Feast (Jere. 31:33) was fulfilled when the Spirit was given, and the Law was no longer external but written on our hearts instead.

The word Shavuot means “weeks.” It’s also known as Pentecost, which comes from a Greek word meaning “fiftieth.” Biblically, Shavuot includes an offering from the wheat harvest, a sign of gratitude to God for providing through the land. To further celebrate the giving of the land, milk and honey (or recipes containing the two) are often eaten on Shavuot. It’s also a time to celebrate the Law and the Spirit, showing that we’re thankful for both.

Yom Teruah

This Feast is often confused with Rosh Hashanah, but they are different celebrations, and you can read more about the differences here. Yom Teruah is another Sabbath, observed on the first day of the seventh month, and it’s supposed to be “a reminder by blowing of trumpets.”

A “teruah” or trumpet blast is heard in the Bible when God’s doing something incredible. What we remember on Yom Teruah are all of the awesome things our God has done throughout time. Prophetically, we look forward to the day we hear the “teruah” announcing the return of our Savior!

This day is observed at sundown by looking for the New Moon (indicating the first day of the month has started) and blowing the shofar when it’s spotted. Some mix traditions from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah, celebrating the beginning of the Hebrew calendar year at this time.

Yom Kippur

The tenth day of the month of Tishrei is Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is when the priest made atonement for the nation of Israel in the days of the Temple. It’s a Sabbath, and the Bible says we’re to be “humbled” or “afflicted” on this day. This Holy Day is more somber and focused, less celebratory, where people wear white, attend services, and fast.

On Yom Kippur, we can look to Jesus and be grateful for his covering (Kippur means “covering”) of our sin in response to our repentance. As a people, though, we need to repent, pray for God’s mercy, and turn to Him for forgiveness. Yom Kippur is a day when we examine our actions and those of our nation, repent where needed, and turn back to the path God wants us to take.

The prophecy in Yom Kippur is that we look forward to a time when Jesus will be the judge. It will be up to him who enters God’s Kingdom and who doesn’t.

Sukkot

Sukkot is the last of the Holy Days on the Biblical calendar. It’s a joyful celebration lasting eight days, starting on the fifteenth day of the seventh month on the Biblical calendar, also known as Tishrei. The first and last of the eight days of Sukkot are Sabbaths.

According to the command for Sukkot in Leviticus 23, God’s people are to celebrate by living in temporary dwellings called Sukkot. God says this is to remind us that God had the people live in dwellings like these when He brought them out of Egypt. During Sukkot, we remember many things – that God provides, that God supernaturally rescued the Hebrew people and provided for them in the wilderness, and that He sent Jesus to “tabernacle” or temporarily dwell with us on earth.

Sukkot is also prophetic in that there will be one day when Jesus will not just tabernacle but will live among us on earth. It points forward to the wedding feast, where we, as God’s people, will finally be joined with Jesus and live with him physically among us, ruling on earth.

????️ Print-friendly PDF Biblical Feast Chart

This article is just a summary of each of these Holy Days, but don’t stop here in your study of them. God has so much for you to learn as you study these meaningful Feasts that He calls His. Explore them further by browsing the Traditions category on HolyBranches.com or in my book, Bring Shalom to Your Home.

Basics of the Biblical Holy Days

Written by Holy Branches on January 2, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Traditions. 6 Comments on Basics of the Biblical Holy Days

As Believers seek to enrich their faith by incorporating biblical Holy Days into their family traditions, the amount of information on these days and how to celebrate them can be overwhelming and confusing. I want to offer just a basic overview of the 7 “appointed times” commanded by God to be kept by His people in Leviticus 23 (and elsewhere).

Chapter 23 opens with a repeat of the command to keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath is sometimes called the most holy of days, so it would be an excellent place to start if you don’t already keep it. It then lists and explains the 7 Holy Days: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

For further information on the Hebrew Calendar, read The Hebrew Calendar Explained.

Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts Expanded Edition: Discovering Their Significance to You as a Christian

Appointed Times

Passover Feast (Lev. 23:5, Exodus 12, and others)

The focus of Pesach (Passover in Hebrew) is to remember what God did for His people when He rescued them from slavery in Egypt. The whole story is found in Exodus chapters 3-15 (it’s incredible!), but here’s a brief overview. The Passover celebration, combined with the Festival of Unleavened Bread (below), lasts eight days (seven in Israel), and a symbolic meal called a Seder, meaning “order,” is traditionally held on the first and second nights. Passover is celebratory rather than somber because it’s a reminder of our freedom and what God has done for us – both as His people and through our Messiah.

Elements of the Passover Seder include:

Matzah (unleavened bread). The matzah symbolizes the unleavened bread the Israelites ate because they left Egypt with no time for their bread to rise. The matzah is also like Jesus, who wasn’t “leavened” with sin so that he could be a sacrifice for ours.
A shank bone. This bone symbolizes the lamb sacrificed to save the Israelites from the final plague on the firstborn. For Christians, this would also point to Jesus, our Passover lamb, who was sacrificed to save us from the slavery of our sin.
Charoset. A mixture of apples, honey, and nuts. Charoset reminds us of the mortar used by the Israelite slaves to build brick buildings for the Egyptians.
Wine. Four to five cups are used in the Seder, and one is used in a procedure resembling the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament.

Festival of Unleavened Bread (Ex. 12:15-20, Lev. 23:6-8, and others)

The Festival of Unleavened Bread takes place during Passover week. Although this seems like the remainder of the Passover week, the Bible separately mentions Chag HaMatzot, or the Festival of Unleavened Bread. It specifically says that we are to live these seven days without leaven, otherwise known as yeast. Biblically, yeast can symbolize sin in our lives (Matt. 16:6, 1 Cor. 5:6-8, and others). Called chametz in Hebrew, foods containing yeast are cleaned out of the homes of those participating in this festival.

This cleanout provides a beautiful picture of the sin in our lives and how we must work diligently to clean it all out. It also shows our need for a savior because we can’t get rid of all of it! It sounds difficult because it is, but I challenge you to do this with your family! Mine has had so many great conversations about invasive sin in our lives during this process and how difficult it is to get rid of. Even if a tiny bit is left, it can grow and take our lives over, just like it only takes a small amount of yeast to leaven the whole batch of dough.

The “deadline” for the leaven cleanout is the first night of Passover. Since yeast can naturally occur in grains mixed with water, many people rid their homes of wheat, oats, barley, spelt, and rye. Some very devout Jews go so far as to get rid of anything resembling a grain, including corn and beans. My family cleans out all leavening agents and their products. We include yeast, baking soda, baking powder, etc.

Feast of First Fruits (Ex. 23:16, Lev. 23:9-14 and Deut. 26:1-11)

The second day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread is called The Day of First Fruits or Yom HaBikkurim. It marks the first day of the countdown to the next Feast, the Feast of Weeks, which occurs 50 days later. On the Day of First Fruits, the priest would wave a sheaf of green barley, an omer, to start the countdown. A male lamb would also be sacrificed. Today, people celebrate this day and the next 49 days as days of spiritual introspection. Since these days lead up to the day God’s Law (the Torah) was given, on the Feast of Weeks, they’re a time for preparation to receive the word of God.

One fantastic thing about First Fruits is that it’s thought to be the day that Jesus rose from the dead! Paul also refers to Jesus as the first fruits (1 Cor 15:20-23).

Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15-21, Ex 34:22, and others)

Christians know this Feast as Pentecost, and Jews as Shavuot. It is the fiftieth day and the conclusion of the counting of the omer, which started on the day of First Fruits. Shavuot is the day, 50 days or 7 Sabbaths plus one day, after the Exodus from Egypt, that the Ten Commandments were given to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. (Ex. 24). It’s also the day the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles (Acts 2:1-36), seven weeks after Jesus’s resurrection.

Out of respect for the Torah, or Law, being given to them by God, many Jews stay up all night on Shavuot, reading the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament). Milk and honey are often served in some fashion as a reminder that God kept His promise to give a “land flowing with milk and honey” to His people (Lev. 20:24). Christians often celebrate Pentecost as the birth of the church – a celebration of our salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit within us.

Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25, Num. 29:1-6, and others)

Also known as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Teruah, this solemn memorial Feast marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in autumn. It lasts two days and includes the following:

Blowing the shofar (ram’s horn).
Calling for the people to repent of their sins.
Offering burnt offerings.

In the Temple’s absence, Jews celebrate the Feast of Trumpets with ten days of repentance and examination of their lives before God. After the ten days is the Day of Atonement.

As the first day of the Jewish year, hope for a “sweet” new year is expressed by eating apples dipped in honey. While straight challah loaves are served on the Sabbath and other Jewish celebrations, round challah is traditionally served during this Feast. A round challah can symbolize either the cyclic nature of the calendar year or a crown, a reminder that God is the King of the universe.

The Feast of Trumpets is a kind of Judgement Day, with the final verdict delivered on The Day of Atonement. In the New Testament, there are references to trumpet blowing combined with judgment, reminiscent of this Feast (Matt. 24:30-31, 1 Thess. 4:16-17, and Rev. 11:15).

A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays: With Activities for All Ages

Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:26-32, Ex. 30:10)

Ten days after the Feast of Trumpets is the most important Holy Day, the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur in Hebrew. This day included the sacrifices through which God would forgive the sins of His people as a group, not individually. The command was to make payment for their sins through offerings and to “humble their souls.” In these post-temple days, the Feast of Trumpets includes a 25-hour fast, giving to charity, and intense prayer focused on confession and repentance.

Other traditions on the Day of Atonement include wearing white to signify purity or burial clothing and thus the need for repentance. Messianic Jews and Hebraic Believers view this Feast similarly, but some change the focus to Jesus, the complete atonement for our sin. At the end of the Day of Atonement, a breakfast-type meal is served to break the day’s fast.

Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33-36, Ex. 34:22, Num. 29:12-34, and others)

Five days after the Day of Atonement, this seven-day Feast is

called the Feast of Booths or Ingathering. It’s called Sukkot in Hebrew, meaning “booths” or “shelters.” Biblically, this harvest feast required sacrifices each day of the Feast.

Today, the Feast of Tabernacles is observed mainly by God’s people leaving their comfortable homes and living in a temporary dwelling called a sukkah in Hebrew. A sukkah is like a hut, with at least three sides, and its roof is made of leaves or branches and decorated with flowers or other décor. In doing this, they remember when God rescued them from slavery in Egypt and provided for them in the desert, as He also provides for us today and will forever.

It is somewhat like a Thanksgiving Day Feast to thank God for His provision. In reference to Leviticus 23:40, waving or shaking four plants (the Four Species) from Israel – myrtle, palm, willow, and citron, is also done while a blessing is said.

It is also a celebration of God’s “tabernacling,” or coming to live with His people. On the Feast of Tabernacles, Jews looked forward to the day God would pour out His Spirit on His people as prophesied in Joel 2:28. In John 7, during the Feast of Booths, Jesus spoke of the Spirit being given and called it Living Water, which would be an eternal thirst quencher for the soul.

Eighth Day (Lev. 23:36 and 39, Num. 29:35)

Messiah in the Feasts of Israel By Sam Nadler

Although mentioned separately, the Eighth Day is simply the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles. This day is a Sabbath (even if it doesn’t fall on Saturday) and is more spiritual than the previous seven joyful days of the Feast of Tabernacles. Shemini Atzeret is this Feast’s Hebrew name, and its traditions vary. The Four Species is not waved on this day, and the sukkah may or may not be used. Different prayers are said than during the previous seven days, and a prayer for rain is often included.

The day following the Eighth Day is called Simchat Torah. It’s not one of the Biblical Holy Days. It’s a festive celebration, celebrating the end and subsequent beginning of the Jewish Torah reading cycle. It is a celebration of thanksgiving to God for giving His word to His people. This celebration is sometimes combined with the Eighth Day Feast.

** Free printable Calendar of Important Dates from Holy Branches! **

While these Feasts may initially be foreign to Christians, they add value and enrich our faith. Physical symbols and biblical celebrations remind us of what God has done, is, and will do in our lives. They give us engaging ways to pass our beliefs on to the next generation and provide our families with traditions that bind us together in our faith and as God’s kingdom here on earth.

Holidays for Christians to Observe in Honor of Their Hebraic Roots

Written by Holy Branches on December 26, 2024. Posted in Hanukkah, Hebraic Roots, Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, Shavuot, Sukkot, Traditions, Yom Kippur. 1 Comment on Holidays for Christians to Observe in Honor of Their Hebraic Roots

If you’re just here for the free printable calendar, get yours here!

The celebration of Passover has become more common among Christians in recent years. This celebration is so beneficial because Passover has many elements that point to our Messiah and highlight the greatness of our God and His love for us!

But did you know other holidays celebrate our God and Savior while honoring the Jewish history of our faith? Some of them are Biblical, and others are traditionally Jewish in our culture but also have implications for us as Gentile believers.

Adding these significant days to your family’s legacy can enrich and deepen your faith and help you pass it on to your children and others. It can even bring you and your family closer to God and Jesus as we learn more about them through observation of these meaningful times.

Here are some that are the most directly connected to the practice of our faith as Christians, especially as it relates to our Jewish roots.

Purim (פּוּרִים)

Purim is the celebration of God’s deliverance of the Jewish people through Queen Esther. A man named Haman was plotting their destruction, but Esther bravely approached the king and revealed her identity as a Jew to encourage him to save her people. He did and had Haman executed instead.

As Christians, we’re familiar with persecution and how God orchestrates historical events that affect His people. We can celebrate that Esther was in the place she was because God knew what the need for her to be there would be and made her an instrument for His plan.

Purim is a fun celebration. Both children and adults dress as characters from the story and act it out in dramatic fashion. It is held on the 14th day of Adar on the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to February or March on our Gregorian calendar.

Passover (פֶסַח- Pesach)

This celebration commemorates God’s rescuing the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians. Its relevance to Christians is very basically two-fold. Firstly, since we are also God’s people, we have a part in this history, and secondly, we have been rescued from the slavery of our sin by the blood of Jesus.

Biblically, Passover is to be celebrated on the “fourteenth day of the first month.” On the Hebrew calendar, it starts on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan, which corresponds with our Gregorian calendar, which is sometime in March or April.

Holocaust Remembrance Day (יוֹם הַשׁוֹאָה – Yom HaShoah)

This somber observance was established in 1953. It’s a national holiday in Israel to remember the Holocaust in Europe during World War II and the murder of over six million Jewish people, including children. This remembrance occurs on the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar, during March or April.

Why should Gentile (non-Jew) Christians observe Holocaust Remembrance Day? Romans 1:16 tells us that salvation came first to the Jew and then to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). Christians are the Gentile believers that are “grafted in” to the promises to God’s people described in Romans 11.

Throughout the Old Testament, God clarifies that the Jewish people are His chosen people. He made a covenant with Abraham concerning their lineage throughout history and brought the Savior to the world through the Jewish line. God also says that He will never abandon the Jewish people.

If the Jewish people are this important to God and are the roots of the tree we’re grafted into; we must be concerned with their well-being in our day and throughout history. The tragedy that struck as the Holocaust brutally and senselessly extinguished the lives of so many people precious to God (Jews and others) must never be forgotten, and its horrors never repeated.

Pentecost and Shavuot (שָׁבוּעוֺת)

I combine these two celebrations because they’re similar in meaning and history. Before the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire and inhabited the Apostles in Acts 2, this time was known as Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks.

It was commanded in Leviticus 23 and was a type of harvest festival that was to occur 50 days after the Passover. Also recognized on this date is the gift of God’s Laws being given to His people on Mt. Sinai. Shavuot is what the Apostles were celebrating when they were “gathered” when God’s Spirit was given to them.

They would have realized the significance of the gift of God’s Spirit being given specifically on this day during a celebration of the gift of God’s Word being given as well. Jesus also foretold it when he said they’d be baptized by the Spirit in Acts 1:4-5.

The command says it is to take place on the 6th and 7th of the month of Sivan. It is to be observed 50 days (or 7 Sabbaths and one day) after the Day of Firstfruits during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (when the Passover and Exodus from Egypt occurred).

Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשִּׁנִה)

This holiday is commonly known as the Jewish New Year and is called Yom Teruah in the Bible. It was designated the first day of the new year primarily for year-counting purposes, but it’s also one of the commanded Feasts in Leviticus 23. It was a two-day festival during which trumpets (shofars) were blown and sacrifices were performed.

Today, it marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in Autumn. It’s a time when people examine their lives, seek to rid them of their old, sinful ways, and make a change for the better. In this way, it’s a lot like the American New Year, but it’s also a type of Judgment Day or the beginning of a season of judgment for the Jewish people.

Christians can remember on Rosh Hashanah that we will be judged with Jesus as our substitute. We can also examine our lives and see whether we’re living in a way that expresses the joy of this salvation. The command to blow a trumpet on this day should cause us to look forward to the day when Jesus has returned and the dead are raised (1 Cor. 15:52).

The Feast of Trumpets occurs on the 1st and 2nd days of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar and in September or October on the Gregorian calendar.

Day of Atonement (יוֹם כִּיפּוּר – Yom Kippur)

This Holy Day is another of the commanded Feasts in Leviticus 23. It’s observed ten days after Rosh Hashanah and is a day of confession and repentance. Biblically, it was a day when sacrifices were offered for the people’s sins. As Christians, this is a day we can celebrate the mercy we have been given in having our sins fully atoned for by Jesus!

The date is the 10th of Tishrei, which occurs in September or October.

Feast of Tabernacles (סֻכּוֺת- Sukkot)

Another Holy Day from Leviticus 23, Sukkot, is a seven-day celebration, five days after the Day of Atonement. Also known as the Feast of Booths, it is a time when people leave the comfort of their homes and live in temporary shelters.

This celebration serves to appreciate God’s provision for us and to celebrate God being among His people on earth. Christians can be even more thankful at the time of Sukkot for Jesus, who, as God, came down to earth to be with us.

Eighth Day (שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת – Shimini Atzeret)

This day is the day just following the last day of Sukkot. It’s on the 22^nd day of Tishrei, which falls in September or October. It is the final commanded Feast in the List in Leviticus 23.

It’s a day to remain with God and rest in His provision, even after the previous seven have been focused on Him. This day is more spiritual and considered greater than the 7 of Sukkot. A formal prayer for rain is often said, and it’s said to be a time to store the memories of what God has provided in our hearts.

Simchat Torah (שִׂמְחַת תּוֺרָה)

This celebration is not in the Bible but is a great way to thank and praise God for giving us His Word! It’s held on the 22nd day of Tishrei and is also known as “rejoicing in the Torah.”

Jews and Christians enjoy the immense blessing through the words and commands God Gave us in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and the rest of His Word. Simchat Torah’s joyful celebration marks the end of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. When celebrated in a synagogue, there is dancing and singing, and it’s a beautiful time of worship.

Hanukkah (הֲנֻכָּה)

Although not a commanded Holy Day, Jesus celebrates it in the Book of John. It commemorates the dedication of the rebuilt temple after the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s temple.

The story of Hanukkah is miraculous. The Jewish people were vastly outnumbered as they decided to fight against the destruction of their people and culture and the blasphemy of God. God was with them as they fought, and they were victorious!

Celebrated from the 25th of Kislev to the 2nd or 3rd day of Tevet on the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah falls in late November or December.

Christians can celebrate God’s power displayed in His people and the victory over persecution. We are also interested in this day as we can see Jesus having shown up in Jerusalem for its celebration, translated as the Feast of Dedication. At this time, Jesus said that his sheep would never perish and that no one could snatch them out of his or His Father’s hand.

Here’s a calendar of the dates of these important days. Print out the free PDF version to keep handy in planning for these days.

Having a Jewish calendar to see what holidays are approaching and plan for them is helpful. Many are out there, but I like the First Fruits of Zion calendar best!

I hope observing these holidays brings you joy, deepens your Christian faith, and provides yet another way to pass your faith on in your family’s legacy, as they have for my family. I’ll continue to post ways for Christian families to observe these meaningful days on the Hebrew Roots Mom website, so stay tuned!

Resolutions: The New Year and Beyond

Written by Holy Branches on December 26, 2024. Posted in Hanukkah, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Sabbath, Shavuot, Sukkot, Traditions, Yom Kippur. No Comments on Resolutions: The New Year and Beyond

This time of year, it seems everyone’s thinking about resolutions – losing weight, quitting smoking, reading their bible more, etc. But we’ve also heard that statistics show these resolutions often don’t last long. People stick to them for the first few weeks or months of the New Year and then return to their previous ways.

But what if there was more than one New Year’s Eve? What if there were a few more times in the year marked for a reassessment of our lives and the making of resolutions with the overall goal of bettering ourselves? Just think of who we’d be and what we could accomplish if we routinely adjusted the direction of our lives.

A GPS navigation system recalculates our route if we get off track. If we take a wrong turn or go straight instead of turning left, the system recalculates the course, ensuring that we still reach our destination despite deferring from the path we should be on.

Fortunately, we can do the same with our lives! Though we may be dedicated to God and genuinely want to follow His plan, we all veer off the route He has for us. It takes repeated examination, re-dedication, and re-adjustment to stay where God wants us.

Enter the Holy Days

Recalculating the route is what I love about celebrating the Biblical Holy Days. That’s one purpose of them – introspection and examination of our lives, re-aligning them with God’s plan. Each of these set-aside times also points us back to Jesus! This re-alignment is done many times yearly, and celebrating these days helps my family and I continually recalculate the routes our lives are on. Here are some of those times.

The Sabbath

God commands us to “remember” the Sabbath and keep it holy. But what exactly are we to remember? Ezekiel chapter 20 (verses 12 and 20) tells us that the Sabbath is a sign that we belong to God. Keeping the Sabbath is our acknowledgment of the covenant God made with us.

Our activities on the Sabbath should then point us to Him and remind us of Him and His goodness. The Sabbath, combined with Bible study and attending services, should encourage us to look at our lives weekly and see where we need to make changes to adhere more closely to the will of God.

The Sabbath also provides a time to rest before the next busy week. It gives us time to plan the days ahead and make the necessary changes to help us be more effective weekly.

Passover

The themes of Passover will also encourage close examination of our lives. That we are no longer slaves to Egyptian captors or to sin causes us to recall all God has done for His people. We could never have obtained this freedom for ourselves. Just as the blood of the lamb freed the Hebrew people from Egypt, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, freed us from the sin that enslaved us.

Think of God’s faithfulness to all His people. In the most challenging times, God can free you from what afflicts you, often working a miracle in your life as he did throughout Exodus. Nothing is too hard for God, and there is no limit to how good your life can be when following Him.

Passover brings a question of identity to mind. Who are we? Or, instead – whose are we? The answer for Christians is that we belong to God. He is the one who rescued us and the one who provided a way to Him despite our sinfulness. As His people, we mature in our faith and begin to learn to look at ourselves through His eyes. While He loves, accepts, and forgives us with our flaws, our desire to obey Him grows as our love for Him does.

Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is seven days where leaven (yeast) is not only not eaten but also cleaned out of homes altogether. The Bible often uses leaven as a symbol of sin or wickedness. Cleaning leaven out of your home and diet for seven days is difficult! Think of all the crumbs in your pantry or even under your fridge!

The cleanout of leaven causes us to look closer at the sin in our lives. If we’re honest, it’s there on the surface but also in the dark pantry-type corners of our lives! We must constantly be on the lookout for the crumbs of sin in our lives and get rid of them before we end up with a filthy mess. We must also do the more unpleasant cleaning in the parts of our life we’d rather ignore – like that mess under the fridge. During this period, we should sincerely evaluate our lives and identify where sin has been festering, then work to make ourselves more pleasing to God.

Cleaning sin out of our lives should also awaken us to the grace we’ve received. Isn’t it amazing that God knows we aren’t capable of a flawless cleanout and has provided us with a perfectly leaven-free Savior – a gift so indescribably good it makes even a clean home seem like chopped liver!

First Fruits

First Fruits is a Spring festival that celebrates the fertility of the land as a blessing from God. Part of this new growth (a lamb without defect along with wine and bread) is given back to God as an offering and show of gratitude for His blessings. In the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 explains that Jesus is the first fruits.

Just like the Holy Day of First Fruits, which is to recognize ahead of time the blessings that God will give, Paul shows in Corinthians that Jesus’s resurrection assures us of the blessing we’ll receive in the harvest at the end of time. We look ahead to when we’ll commune with God, and Jesus will rule.

Looking forward to this time in the future should prompt us to be grateful and prepare ourselves as offerings. We need to do all we can to align our lives with what God wants of us and be continually and earnestly hunting for what that looks like.

Shavuot

This celebration commemorates the Law God gave to the Hebrew people on Mount Sinai. Also known as The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, this is what the apostles were celebrating when the Holy Spirit was given in Acts 2. Shavuot is a reminder that God gave us His Law as a blessing and that the Holy Spirit is the Law written on our hearts that was prophesied by Jeremiah (31:33).

Messianic Calendar For 2024 And 2025 Includes Torah Days And Holy Days: Plus Jewish Holy Day Explanations (Hebrew, Jewish and Messianic Calendars for Jew and Gentile)

But do we see God’s Laws as a blessing? Or do we compromise, justify our disobedience, and declare that certain ancient Laws don’t apply to us? Shavuot is a time to thank God for His Law and to delight in it as the Psalmist does in chapter 1, verse 2. It’s a time to take a close look at our actions and see whether there’s truth in saying that we aim to obey them and delight in them. We should reflect on how God’s Law has improved our lives and its blessing for all his people. How can we better please God by following his commands?

Shavuot is also when we thank God for the gift of His Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit dwelling in us serves many functions, confirmation of our salvation being just one of many. He’s also our guide and convicts us when we need to change the course of our lives. As we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, we pay special attention to whether we’re listening to this conviction and guidance and adjust our hearts, minds, and actions accordingly.

Yom Teruah

Also known as Rosh Hashanah, this Feast gives many reasons for introspection and re-calculation of the routes of our lives. Celebrating our names being written in the Book of Life, remembering the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac (Gen. 22), casting off sin, and calling attention to trumpet blasts are all themes of this celebration.

These themes should make us want to audit our behavior and encourage us to make adjustments. The Bible says the names of the righteous are written in the Book of Life. Sin in all our lives prevents us from being wholly righteous, which is why we can celebrate the gift we have in Jesus, who stands in our place just as God provided a ram to stand in Isaac’s place.

But just because we have Jesus as our substitute does not mean we don’t try our best to obey. It’s not to earn our salvation that we obey but out of love for God. Focusing on repentance provokes change. I always tell my children when they say apologize that sorry people change. If they’re genuinely sorry, I’ll see it in their actions, not just their words. It’s the same with us and God. Being genuinely sorry will change us noticeably.

We also focus on trumpet blasts at this time. The original command for this celebration includes the blowing of trumpets. This trumpet blowing is not just for musical enjoyment or celebratory noise. This type of trumpet blowing, using a ram’s horn or shofar, is Biblically an indication that God’s about to do something big! Other times trumpet blasts of this type are used is when the wall of Jericho was brought down or when Jesus returns (Joshua 6:20 and 1 Thess. 4:16-17, respectively)!

We often forget the supernatural aspects of God, and the trumpet blasts remind us that the miraculous events in the bible are REAL and not just stories. If we believe that, we should look forward to Jesus’s return and listen for the accompanying trumpet blasts, for real! If this doesn’t motivate us to ponder our lives and make necessary adjustments, I don’t know what will!

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement because it’s on this day that confession of and atonement for sin is to be made. This atonement is as a people, not necessarily an individual level. We’re apologizing for the things we’ve done to turn away from God as His people, not just for the individual disobedience in our own lives.

There are two things a Christian can focus on during Yom Kippur. The first is the honest and humble confession of sin. Yes, we can do this on any day of the year, but this day, set aside for confession, reminds us to do so when we may otherwise forget. Some pray and fast on Yom Kippur because it’s a time when we’re genuinely sorry and commit to change.

The other focus is that Jesus has eternally atoned for our sins! While we’re repentant, we’re also grateful for the undeserved grace we’ve been given. Even if we were to maintain a “good” life, we cannot earn our salvation and deserve condemnation. But that’s not our destiny if we’ve received Jesus as our Savior, and that’s something we should be humbly grateful for.

Sukkot

If we take even a glance at our lives, we’ll see that God has richly blessed us. This day is to celebrate what God has given us – food, shelter, and everything we need. He not only meets our needs; He goes above and beyond to provide for His people. In our culture, we often take these things for granted, and his graciousness is difficult to see, but Sukkot encourages us to see it for what it is – lavish blessings on His people!

He not only meets our physical needs but, more importantly, our spiritual needs. Among all other provisions, He’s also provided Jesus as a way for our sin debt to be paid. A theme of Sukkot is that God tabernacled with His people in the desert. He didn’t just observe them from Heaven; he was with them on their travels, guiding them. This guidance is the same thing Jesus does for us! He came from Heaven to Earth to live among us and become the provision for our sin.

Sukkot prompts us to look around again and see what God has done. He’s met and continues to meet our needs, especially the most desperate – the need for a Savior. Acknowledging this should alter the way we live. If we’re grateful, we will grumble and complain less about what we don’t have. We’ll show our gratitude for forgiveness by extending it to others, as well as repenting for sin and striving to live obedient lives.

Hanukkah

While not one of the seven appointed times in the book of Leviticus, Hanukkah is also an excellent time for resolutions. This celebration is all about re-dedication – both of God’s Temple and ourselves. Hanukkah celebrates the amazing things God has done for His people and our re-dedication to Him of what was His in the first place.

Hanukkah is a time to consider what or who we stand for. Having to state what we stand for seems optional when we live in a time and place that’s one of comfort and little persecution. But Christians everywhere don’t enjoy this type of comfort now, and we probably won’t experience it forever, either. Even our daily actions will show what we stand for, though. An honest review of our lives will show who we serve and where we need to get back on track.

So, go ahead and make that resolution for the New Year. But revisit it soon! If you don’t already celebrate the Biblical Holy Days, getting started is easier than you think! Visit the pages linked above to read more about each Holy Day on this website. Happy New Year!

75 Hebrew Words You Need to Understand the Bible

Written by Holy Branches on December 19, 2024. Posted in Bible Study, Hebrew Language. No Comments on 75 Hebrew Words You Need to Understand the Bible

Understand more about the Bible with Israel365’s newest book. In celebration of 75 years as a country, this beautiful book contains 75 Hebrew words that reveal concepts in God’s word.

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The creators of this book, Israel365, have a passion for the people and land of Israel. They connect the people of Israel to those who desire to support the Holy Land. Israel365 is a dependable source of news concerning Israel, which can be difficult to find otherwise. They provide Biblical resources to help Bible students understand the Bible, as well as Biblical Hebrew.

The latest book by Israel365 is focused on Hebrew words throughout the Hebrew Bible. Understanding the Hebrew language can boost your understanding of the entire Bible. Read why I encourage all Believers to study Hebrew here: 7 Ways Learning Hebrew Benefits Your Christian Faith.

In 75 Hebrew Words, Rabbi Akiva Gersh has chosen words that increase your understanding of Biblical concepts. Here are a few of the words he explains in the book.

Soul

Hebrew: Neshamah, נְשָׁמָה

The rabbi teaches the connection between the soul and breath when describing the meaning of neshamah. Neshamah is the word used in Genesis 2:7 when God breathed His breath into the nostrils of the human. Understanding the full meaning of the word neshamah shows us that God not only gave us breath, He also breathed our souls into us!

Hymn

Hebrew: Zemer, זֶמֶר

The word “hymn” is used throughout the Psalms as a way we can connect with God, just as King David did. We know God hears our hymns, just as He heard King David’s. Why does the Hebrew text in Psalms sometimes say “Of David, a hymn,” but other times, “A hymn, of David”? Rabbi Gersh explains the difference and the significance in this book!

Holiness

Hebrew: Kedushah, קֶדֻשָּׁה

We may think we understand the concept of holiness, but the Hebrew provides even more clarity. Kedushah means holiness, but its root word, kadosh, indicates separation. This aspect of separation shows us that holiness includes a complete separation from things that are not holy. The rabbi expands on this idea of separation even more in his explanation of this word.

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75 Hebrew Words not only has intriguing explanations of Hebrew words from the Bible. It also features beautiful pictures from the Holy Land. It’s a well-made book that would make a great gift or even supplement your Biblical Hebrew studies. Click here for more information or to purchase yours!

Busy Mom’s Cheater Latke Recipe

Written by Holy Branches on December 19, 2024. Posted in Hanukkah. 1 Comment on Busy Mom’s Cheater Latke Recipe

Like most of you, before a holiday, I always plan activities, crafts, special meals, etc. Hanukkah’s no exception. Traditions are wonderful for teaching and bringing everyone together but they do take more time and effort, which can be difficult during a time when more our schedules are full.

I used this recipe for our Hanukkah latkes one year when finding the time to shred potatoes and make latkes from scratch seemed overwhelming. But my family loved it so much that it’s become the one we use every year! No judgement to those of you making your latkes the old fashioned way but here’s a recipe for those of us who welcome a shortcut!

This recipe feeds a crowd! It makes about 30-ish medium latkes. I have a crowd to feed at my house but you’ll have to cut this recipe down if you have only a few people.

I’ve heard these can be made in the air fryer too. If you try it, let me know in the comments how they come out!

Bonus: Here’s a hilarious song to listen to while you cook your latkes!

Printer-friendly PDF version

Ingredients

12 eggs

10 T flour

1-1/4 t baking powder

2-1/2 t salt

1-1/4 t pepper

30 c shredded potatoes (3 30 oz bags shredded hash brown potatoes)

2-1/2 c diced onions

2 c (or so) oil

Directions

Mix all ingredients well except the oil.

Shape into pancakes 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick and 6 inches diameter (that’s about 2 cm thick and 15 cm diameter for you scientific types or those outside the US 🙂 ).

Fry in about 1 inch of oil until crispy.

Place on a paper-towel lined plate and serve with applesauce or sour cream.

Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah Activities for Christian Kids

Written by Holy Branches on November 25, 2024. Posted in Hanukkah. No Comments on Hanukkah Activities for Christian Kids

When Christian families embrace the celebration of Hanukkah as a tradition, we must remember that it’s our job to pass our faith on to our children. Hanukkah (or the Feast of Dedication) is a beautiful way to proclaim our God’s attribute of faithfulness and get the whole family involved! Check out my calendar for the dates of Hanukkah this year.

Lighting the Hanukkiah

Obviously, use your best judgment with the degree of participation of little ones, but this most common Hanukkah tradition is great for kids to see. Each night of Hanukkah, another candle is lit on the Hanukkiah (9-branched menorah for Hanukkah). On night 1, the Shamash (helper candle that lights the others) is lit and lights the first. On the second night, the Shamash lights candles 1 and 2, and so on.

Candle lighting is a time to talk to kids about why you’re celebrating Hanukkah and how it relates to our Messiah, Jesus. You can take advantage of the time you have their attention and read the story of Jesus on Hanukkah (see below).

Battle for Torah: The Message of Hanukkah By Key Kindall

Read Hanukkah Stories

We can read about Jesus during Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication) in John 10:22-30) or even read the Hanukkah story in the Books of the Maccabees. Here’s a summary of the story, The Maccabees, The Jewish Freedom Fighters.

Battle for Torah is a poetic book for children written by Kim Kindall, a Believer in Jesus.

The Story of Hanukkah covers the miracles of Hanukkah and even has a latke recipe and instructions for the dreidel game!

My little ones LOVE sticker books! Here’s an adorable Hanukkah-themed sticker and activity book, Ella and Noah Celebrate Hanukkah. It’s sure to keep little hands busy or help them stay quiet during services.

Ella and Noah celebrate Hanukkah: sticker activity book

Dreidel Game

Almost any age can participate in the dreidel game! It’s simple, yet it always turns out to be a good time. Using candy coins is our favorite way to play, but you could use whatever small candy or numerous items you have around the house as tokens.

A dreidel has four sides, with 4 Hebrew letters on them, nun (נ), gimmel (ג), hay (ה), and shin (שׁ). These letters stand for “Nes gadol hayah sham” or “A great miracle happened there.” This statement references the miracles from the Hanukkah story – the victory of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil.

Here’s how to play:

Each player must start the game with an equal number of tokens.

The Dreidel Company Bulk Solid Blue & White Wooden Hanukkah Dreidels, Hand Painted with English Transliteration- Includes Game Instruction Cards

To begin each round, each player puts one token into the pot (the middle). The first player spins the dreidel once and follows the directions, depending on which side of the dreidel is up when it stops spinning.

If nun (נ) is showing, the player gets nothing, and their turn is over.

Gimmel (ג) means the player gets the entire pot!

Hay (ה) entitles the player to half of the pot’s contents (if there’s an odd number, take half plus one).

If the shin (שׁ) side is up, the player must put one token in the pot.

If the pot has one or less during the game, each player puts one token in to keep the game going.

When a player runs out of tokens, they are “out.”

The winner is the one who gets all the tokens, ending that round of the game.

Hanukkah Crafts

Make your candles for your family’s Hanukkiah with this kit from Rite-Lite.

The Dreidel Company Make Your Own Hanukkah Beeswax Candles

There are crafts and many other activities in the book A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays. This book has educational activities for the other Biblical holidays as well.

Find a cute Paper Plate Menorah Craft at NutureStore. There’s a printable for the candles, so your little ones can color them and cut them out.

And while we’re on the subject of online printable crafts, here’s a printable dreidel for your kids to color, cut out, and glue to make a paper dreidel they can really use!

The Dreidel Company Craft-A-Dreidel, Create Your Own Custom Dreidel

There’s also a Custom Dreidel Craft Kit for your little crafters. It comes with an unfinished wooden dreidel, paint, and a paintbrush. The design opportunities are endless!

Hanukkah Recipes

Traditionally, the foods eaten at Hanukkah are those fried in oil. While I’m all for kids helping in the kitchen, I recommend you leave them out of the frying process for safety reasons. You know your kids best – use your best judgment on how and where to include them.

Latkes

Here’s a hint to all my fellow busy moms: I’ve used packaged and frozen shredded hash brown potatoes as a shortcut for this recipe, and they’ve turned out great! Here’s the recipe: Busy Mom’s Cheater Latke Recipe

Sufaganiyot

Wooden Menorah with Removable Wooden Candles – Colorful Chanukah Menorah for Kids

This recipe is made with child participation in mind! It has which portions of the recipe kids can do marked as such, along with those better done by an adult.

Rugelach

You can use the above link to make them from scratch, but there’s also a shortcut. You can use flaky crescent roll dough, fill it with Nutella, and bake it according to the package instructions. Yum!

Challah Bread

A bread that’s both attractive and festive, Challah is served on Shabbat (the Sabbath) and on other special days.

Hanukkah Sugar Cookies

There are so many possibilities when it comes to sugar cookies, and kids are always willing to help with this one. You can use these Hanukkah Cookie Cutters and this frosting recipe to decorate or just add blue and white sprinkles.

I wish you and your family a very Happy Hanukkah!

10 Traditions for a Christian Hanukkah

Written by Holy Branches on November 25, 2024. Posted in Hanukkah, Traditions. 9 Comments on 10 Traditions for a Christian Hanukkah

Celebrating Jesus at Hanukkah: An 8-Day Devotional

We celebrate Hanukkah (or the Feast of Dedication) in our Christian home to focus on God’s omnipotence and faithfulness to His people. As Christians, we also celebrate the re-dedication of our lives due to the cleansing of our hearts through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. If the thought of Christians celebrating Hanukkah is new to you, I invite you to read John 10:22-42 when Jesus observes Hanukkah at the Temple in Jerusalem, and check out this other post on Hanukkah and Christians.

Would you like to create a tradition of celebrating Hanukkah in your Christian home? You can find the dates of Hanukkah here, and below are ten ideas to get you started!

1. Praise God

The themes of Hanukkah are rich with shows of God’s power or omnipotence. His omnipotence is the attribute of God that shows His limitless ability to do, well, anything He wants! He is all-powerful, and this is shown when He caused the Jewish people to have victory over their Syrian rulers. The story goes that He miraculously allowed one day’s worth of oil to burn for eight days until more could be made for the Temple menorah.

God’s faithfulness to His people is the other central theme. Despite great persecution, God preserved His people, just as He always said He would. The circumstances were impossible, but God made it happen anyway. He showed that He stands with His people and keeps the promises He makes to them.

Hanukkah and Purim are for Christians Too! By Kenneth Albin

But it’s not just in the story of Hanukkah that we see these themes. They’re throughout the bible in both the Old and New Testaments, and if you’re paying attention, you’ll see them in your life and those around you. He is all-powerful, and he can do absolutely anything. And He’s always, always faithful to His people. He was then, He is now, and He will be forever. Now THAT’s worth celebrating!

2. Read His Word

Here are a few scripture selections to read to bring your focus onto the themes of Hanukkah:

Exodus 25:31-40, 37:17-24, and 40:24-25, 34-38
Leviticus 24:1-4
The book of Esther
Matthew 5:14-16
John 9:1-12, 10:22-42, and 14:16-17
Romans 8:1-17
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Ephesians 1:7
1 John 1:5-10

Silver Plated Candle Menorah – Fits all Standard Hanukkah Candles – Curved Branches, 8.5″ High x 6.5″ Wide – by Ner Mitzvah

3. Dig into History

While the story of Hanukkah isn’t in the Protestant bible, you can still read it for yourself. It’s found in the first and second books of the Maccabees. Since most Protestants don’t have a copy, here’s a link to the books of the Maccabees where you can read the whole story behind the celebration of Hanukkah.

4. Light the Menorah

Lighting the menorah is by far the most common tradition during Hanukkah. The menorah used during Hanukkah isn’t the same as the one used in the Temple – a seven-branch menorah or lampstand, as it’s called in most translations. The one used during Hanukkah is called a Hanukkiah. Instead of 7, it has nine branches to hold nine candles, one for each of Hanukkah’s eight nights, and one to light the others, called the shamash.

One candle is lit each night, using the candle in the tallest candleholder to light the others. They’re traditionally lit from left to right, and a new candle is added to the Hanukkiah on the right side each night. A blessing is usually said as the candles are lit.

5. Cook in Oil

Dishes served during Hanukkah are usually those cooked in oil to remember the story of the oil miracle in the Temple Menorah. Two of the most well-known are potato pancakes called latkes and jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot.

6. Play Dreidel

While this tradition probably has little to do with the history of Hanukkah, it’s a fun game to play during this celebration that will entertain adults and children. Besides a few (2 or more) fun friends or family members, two things are necessary to enjoy playing Dreidel. A dreidel and something to use as chips or tokens, such as chocolate coins, also called gelt.

A dreidel has four sides, with 4 Hebrew letters on them: nun (נ), gimmel (ג), hay (ה), and shin (שׁ). These letters stand for “Nes gadol hayah sham” or “A great miracle happened there.”

Here’s how to play.

Each player must start the game with an equal number of tokens or chips (this can be almost anything small and numerous. My family has used pennies and M&Ms, but we like chocolate coins best).

If nun (נ) is showing, the player gets nothing, and their turn is over.
Gimmel (ג) means the player gets the entire pot!
Hay (ה) entitles the player to half of the pot’s contents (if there’s an odd number, take half plus one).
If the shin (שׁ) side is up, the player must put one token in the pot.

The Dreidel Company Chocolate Candy Milk Chocolate Coins, Hanukkah Gelt, Gold Coins, Made with Belgian Chocolate, Gluten Free, Non GMO, Nut-Free, Kosher Certified (50-Pack)

If the pot has one or less during the game, each player puts one token in to keep the game going.

When a player runs out of tokens, they are “out.”

The winner is the one who gets all the tokens, ending that round of the game.

7. Give Gifts

Gift-giving is another Hanukkah tradition that isn’t rooted in history. It’s a specifically American tradition, probably resulting from Hanukkah’s proximity to Christmas on our calendar. Some families give one gift each night of Hanukkah, and some even hide them to make it even more fun!

8. Decorate Your Home

Aside from your menorah, the options for decorating your home during Hanukkah are endless. I’ve seen creative and beautiful Hanukkah decorations to complement any décor. We’ve made garlands out of these Stars and usually have one of these Happy Hanukkah banners hanging around the house.

9. Make Some Cookies

We have a tradition of baking and decorating cookies this time of year, and how we do that has morphed over the years. We have settled on a beautiful combination of menorahs and stars of David, mixed with crosses, to reflect our faith and what we celebrate this time of year.

Aligning With God’s Appointed Times: Discover the Prophetic and Spiritual Meaning of the Biblical Holidays By Jason Sobel

10. Get Your Hebrew On

Hanukkah, Chanukah, Hanukah, or Chanukkah – how is it spelled? Well, none of these are precisely correct because the Hebrew word, meaning “to dedicate” in remembrance of the re-dedication of the Temple, is spelled חֲנֻכָּה.

The first letter, chet, is guttural and has no equivalent sound in English. It’s pronounced in the back of your throat like the sound the “ch” makes at the end of “Bach.” Go ahead. Give it a try – Chanukkah.

Greet your Hanukkah guests with style! The standard greeting used during Hanukkah in English is “Happy Hanukkah!”. In Hebrew, it’s “Hanukkah Sameach” (Chan-uh-kuh Sam-ay-ach).

If you plan on celebrating a Christian Hanukkah tradition in your home, these ten ideas should get you started. However you celebrate, ensure God gets all the glory for His infinite power and faithfulness to His people!

I wish you and your family a very Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah 101: An Introduction for Christians

Written by Holy Branches on November 25, 2024. Posted in Hanukkah, Traditions. 2 Comments on Hanukkah 101: An Introduction for Christians

You may have heard that many Christians celebrate Hanukkah. Although it’s most commonly known as a Jewish holiday, Hanukkah is relevant to the Christian faith. Aside from Jesus himself celebrating Hanukkah in the bible (John 10:22-23), the themes and story behind Hanukkah are reasons for every Christian to celebrate – the power and faithfulness of our God. As grafted in children of God, we can embrace this holiday as part of our history and tradition, just as Jesus did.

History

The Jewish people were under Syrian Hellenistic rule between the Old and New Testaments, around 165 BC. Antiochus IV was the leader of the Seleucid Empire at the time. Under his control, Jewish traditions were outlawed, including Sabbath keeping, adherence to a Kosher diet, and circumcision. Idols were set up in the Temple, and pigs were rumored to have been sacrificed on the Temple altar. Among the punishments for observance of Jewish traditions were death and torture.

The Real Story of Chanukah/Hanukkah: Dedicated to the Death (A Messianic Jewish Exhortation for Israel and All Disciples of Yeshua)

Rather than face brutal punishment, many Jews assimilated with Hellenistic culture. Some evaded their Syrian leaders by hiding in the hills and caves of Judea. A small number of Jews led by Judah Maccabee decided to revolt. Despite the overwhelming opposition, they courageously stood up for their God, His Word, and His Temple. They were miraculously victorious despite being vastly outnumbered!

After the battles, the Jewish people removed the idols from the Temple and put the menorah back in place. But when they went to light the menorah, only one day’s worth of oil was left, and making more was an 8-day process. The story goes that one day’s worth of oil continued to burn for eight days until new oil was ready for use, another Hanukkah miracle.

History vs. Tradition

The story of the Maccabean revolt is found in the books of the Maccabees. These writings are not included in the Protestant bible, but the writings of the historian Josephus support the oppression of the Jewish people and the outcome of the revolt.

The traditional part of the story is the part about the oil. This story isn’t recorded in the books of the Maccabees or other historical sources but in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b), the written form of the Oral Torah. It’s been passed down by Jewish people for thousands of years and is the miracle that’s the focus of the celebration of Hanukkah.

Jesus and Hanukkah

We find Jesus at the Temple during the celebration of Hanukkah, or the Feast of Dedication, in the book of John, verses 10:22-23. Many people traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem during Hanukkah, as with many biblical holidays. Jesus is also shown visiting the Temple and walking through Solomon’s portico during the festival of Hanukkah in the Book of John.

The Dreidel Company Contemporary Hanukkah Menorah, Polished, Non-tarnishing, Holds Most Hanukkah Candles (Silver)

At this time, Jews gathered around him and asked him to tell them if he was the Messiah. He replied that he already had, as well as performed works in God’s name but that they didn’t believe him. They were expecting the Messiah to save them from Roman rule, but Jesus said he was there to offer them eternal life instead. He said that he and God are one, and they attempted to stone him because they didn’t believe his claim and thought him blasphemous. Nonetheless, it was during Hanukkah that he chose to reveal his deity.

Why Some Christians Celebrate

Usually, the Christians that celebrate Hanukkah are either in a household of mixed faith (Jewish and Christian) or lean toward the beliefs of the Hebrew Roots Movement. Here are a few different reasons for Christian Hanukkah observation.

Alternative to Christmas

Some Christians have an issue celebrating Christmas as a Holy day for God because there is no mention of it in the bible. Moreover, the pagan roots and traditions woven throughout the Christmas holiday call into question whether the followers of God should be engaging in the holiday. More and more Christians are finding biblical meaning in celebrating Jesus’s coming to Earth by celebrating Sukkot or Hanukkah instead.

Jesus did

Many feel that Jesus’s Jewish culture and appearance at the Temple during Hanukkah show that he celebrated Hanukkah himself. They also see his declaration that he and God are one during Hanukkah as a sign that we are to re-dedicate ourselves to God through him.

To celebrate a historical event where God’s Glory was shown

Although we can (and should!) celebrate God’s Glory and faithfulness every day, Hanukkah celebrates a time when His Glory was shown, and His promise kept in a specific and miraculous way.

To celebrate a victory of God’s people

When God seeks to accomplish what we see as impossible, He can and will do just that. During Hanukkah, He showed He brought victory to His people as they were outnumbered and stood against a powerful, experienced army. God’s power is a theme throughout the bible as God’s miracles point to Him and His omnipotence because they occur under circumstances that would otherwise make them impossible. This theme also runs through the book of Esther, which is what the celebration of Purim is about.

To celebrate the re-dedication of themselves (temples) upon indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our savior, his blood cleanses us of our sin, and we re-dedicate our lives to following him. His Spirit can then live in us, the purified and re-dedicated temples.

Common Hanukkah Traditions

Lighting of the Hanukkiah

The menorah used during the celebration of Hanukkah isn’t the same as the one used in the Temple, which has seven branches. For Hanukkah, the menorah used is called a Hanukkiah and has nine branches, with eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and one candle to light the others, called the Shamash.

Foods

Traditional foods served during Hanukkah are those cooked in oil. Potato pancakes called latkes, and a type of jelly doughnut called sufganiyot are two popular Hanukkah dishes.

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Gift-giving

Gift-giving is a primarily American Hanukkah tradition, probably due to the Hanukkah and Christmas seasons often overlapping. While some families give gifts during Hanukkah, this practice has no biblical or historical tradition. Many families give one gift for each night of Hanukkah, and some hide them as a challenge to the recipients.

The Dreidel Game

Although it’s been around for centuries, this game is so much fun! I’ve heard a few theories about why and how this game started, but it most likely has little historical significance. It’s a simple game, but kids and adults can get into it despite its simplicity! You’ll need a dreidel and something to use as tokens or chips to play. Many people use chocolate coins (gelt), but our family has used everything from pennies to M&Ms.

Here’s how to play:
Give each player 10-15 coins or whatever you use as tokens.
Each player puts one coin into the middle, the “pot.”
Each player takes a turn spinning the dreidel. Whichever side is face-up when the dreidel stops will determine whether the player that spun it puts coins into or takes coins from the pot.
Gimmel (ג): Take all of the coins in the pot.
Hey (ה): Take 1/2 of the coins in the pot. If there’s an odd number of coins, take 1/2 plus 1.
Shin (שׁ): Put one coin into the pot. Rolling a shin sometimes prompts the rhyme “Shin, shin, put one in!” from the other players.
Nun (נ) The player gets nothing, and the turn goes to the next player.
If you run out of coins, you’re out. The winner is the one with all the coins at the end of the game.

Should You Celebrate Hanukkah?

I know dedicated Christians on both sides of this conversation. Most don’t celebrate Hanukkah, but some do and say that it’s a tradition that enriches their Christian faith. If you’re wondering if you should celebrate it, the first step should be to pray. Ask God any time you add or dispose of traditions that relate to your faith and how He would like for you to go about doing that. Whether your traditions are Godly or worldly or motivated by your desire to give glory to Him or yourself will be reflected in those traditions, so choose carefully and prayerfully which and how you take part.

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, make sure the main themes of Hanukkah are evident in your faith and your life. God keeps His promises by protecting His people, and His ability and willingness to show His power through miracles should cause us to give all praise and glory to Him!

Happy Hanukkah!