Invitation to Holy Feasts

The eve of Christmas, when we commemorate the coming of Jesus to this earth, and the dazzling morning of Easter, when we commemorate the risen Lord and hope for our own resurrection. The value of these precious moments—fellowshipping with family, meditating on Christ, uniting as a community—is very precious.

But let us pause for a moment and consider whether these days, which we cherish and observe as a true expression of our faith, are also received with the greatest joy by God. Just as when we prepare a gift for a loved one, we consider what kind of gift would bring the greatest joy to that person.

In order to consider this concern, we need to reflect on where these cherished traditions come from and where their roots lie. In our faith journey, should our primary compass be God’s clear Word (divine authority), or the long-held traditions of the church (human authority)? This question leads us back to the holy times God Himself appointed: the biblical feasts (Leviticus 23). This article invites you to rediscover the deeper meaning and authority of God’s feasts recorded in Scripture than the anniversaries that Christianity currently observes, and to respond to His call.

Every December 25th, we celebrate the coming of Jesus. Yet, nowhere in the Bible is it recorded that Jesus was born on this day. The account in Luke of shepherds tending their flocks outdoors at night seems unlikely during the cold winter. Early church believers also did not observe December 25th as the Nativity. The Jews did not have a culture of celebrating birthdays, and Jesus told us to commemorate his death, but he never told us to celebrate his birthday.

In 4th-century Rome, December 25th was also a day honoring the 'Unconquered Sun God' (Sol Invictus). Around this time, as Christianity gained influence, church leaders declared this date, familiar within the cultural context, as Jesus’s birthday. This was a decision based on human authority, not a biblical command or apostolic teaching. The Christmas tree we commonly use also has origins outside the Bible.

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. However, the Easter we observe today has somewhat deviated from its original biblical context. Jesus’s death and resurrection occurred during the Jewish Passover (Pesach). His death fulfilled the sacrifice of the Passover lamb, His time in the tomb aligned with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and His resurrection perfectly fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits. Jesus Himself commanded remembrance of His death at the Passover meal (Luke 22:19). The early church commemorated Christ’s death and resurrection within this flow of biblical feasts.

However, over time, particularly through the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the manner of observing Easter was intentionally separated from its Jewish roots. The letter Emperor Constantine sent to the churches right after the council, conveying its decision, explicitly reveals this intention:

This decision severed the biblical connection between Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits, introducing a new standard based on human authority. Consequently, the profound link between Christ, the Passover Lamb, and His resurrection as the First Fruits became obscured, and while we retain the joy of the resurrection, we have largely lost the significance of its Passover roots.Easter eggs and bunnies are also symbols not based in Scripture.

The Bible reveals holy times appointed directly by God, the "Feasts of the LORD" (Leviticus 23). Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles. These seven feasts were not created by humans but are appointed times established by God Himself for His people to meet with Him and remember His mighty acts of salvation. These feasts were proclaimed as "everlasting statutes".

Even more astonishing is that these feasts are not merely commemorations of past events but are prophetic pictures foreshadowing the entire redemptive work of Jesus Christ – His first and second comings, death and resurrection, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the consummation of God’s kingdom.

The table below briefly shows the significance of these amazing feasts:

The Feasts of the LORD (Leviticus 23)

By observing the feasts according to God’s timetable, we come to understand and experience the grand picture of salvation history – past fulfillment, present grace, and future glorious hope – more deeply. Through these annual feasts, we embark on a spiritual pilgrimage, vividly remembering and celebrating God’s faithfulness and His amazing plan. This is a far richer and more integrated journey of faith than focusing only on a few isolated events.

The reasons for returning to the biblical feasts are clear. Foremost, these feasts are based on the unwavering divine authority of "Thus says the LORD". While Christmas and Easter have gained precious meaning in church history, their origins lie closer to human decisions and traditions. Couldn’t our love and faithfulness to God be expressed as respect for the precious feasts that He Himself established? This also aligns with the spirit of 'Sola Scriptura' – Scripture as the final authority for our faith.

Furthermore, returning to the biblical feasts is a way to recover the Jewish heritage that is the root of our faith. Jesus and the apostles were Jewish and observed these feasts. Sadly, throughout history, the church drifted from these roots , sometimes intentionally severing ties. Recovering the lost feasts can be a step toward healing this historical wound and acknowledging God’s unchanging plan for both Israel and gentiles.

Most importantly, the recovery of biblical feasts opens the way for Jewish and Gentile believers to become truly one in Christ. Ephesians 2 movingly proclaims that Jesus Christ

Now, we are no longer

Romans 11 speaks of Gentile believers being "grafted in" to the olive tree of Israel.

Furthermore, the prophet Zechariah foretold a time when even the Gentile nations would come up to Jerusalem to keep God’s feasts together:

This shows that the feasts God appointed are intended as a place of unity for all peoples who worship Him.

When we observe together these holy feasts given by God to all believers, we take a precious step toward tearing down the "dividing wall" that separated us historically and realizing the beautiful unity depicted in Scripture – Jews and Gentiles standing together as "one new man" in Christ.

This article has briefly examined the human origins of Christmas and Easter traditions. It has also shared the deep meaning, divine authority, and unifying vision of the biblical feasts appointed directly by God.

Responding to God’s call by reconsidering our ways of worship and commemoration can lead to wonderful blessings: a deeper understanding of the plan of salvation, a reconnection with the rich heritage of our faith, and, above all, beautiful unity with our Jewish and Gentile brothers and sisters.

Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to re-examine Scripture and church history with a prayerful heart. Let us consider together whether the traditions we follow are truly in line with God’s heart and will, and consistent with the path of unity which God is drawing.

Of course, the love and gratitude toward Jesus that has been expressed according to the traditions of the church so far are very precious and valuable. However, we must seriously consider whether prioritizing human traditions while setting aside the holy feasts established by God’s own divine authority and declared everlasting can truly be justified.

This invitation stems from a hope for all of us to be rooted more deeply in Scripture, to appreciate our faith heritage, and to stand united with Israel as worshippers pleasing God according to His revealed will.