Scripture Reading for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Here is a list of Scriptures to read during and in the time leading up to the Festival of Sukkot. This set apart time is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, the Festival of Ingathering, and the Season of Joy, so there are certainly lots of Scriptures that would be appropriate for this time of year! This time is a reminder that YHWH dwells with us, and calls to mind both Yahusha's life and also his return when he will once again be physically present with us.

Scriptures to read for Sukkot:

Exodus 23:16 - the first mention of Sukkot in Scripture, before the Israelites even got to the Promised Land.
Leviticus 23:34 - details on Sukkot.
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 - talks about rejoicing during the Festival of Booths.
Psalm 27:5 - a promise that YHWH will secure us in his sukkah.
Ecclesiastes - this is a traditionally read during Sukkot.
Ezra 3:4 - the celebration of Sukkot after the Temple was rebuilt.
Nehemiah 8:14-18 - the Torah is read after many years of neglect and the people see the instructions on keeping the feast.
Zechariah 14:16-20 - a prophecy of the feast of Sukkot being celebrated in the millennium.
Luke 2 - the story of the birth of the Messiah, which is evidenced to have happened at this time of year.
John 7 - Yahusha's time at the festival of Sukkot.
Revelation 21:3-5 - when the sukkah of YHWH comes and dwells with us.

More on Tabernacles:
The Feast of Tabernacles: Everything You Should Know
8 Things Scripture Says About the Feast of Tabernacles
Activities for Tabernacles

A Watercolor Daffodil Seder

Chag sameach! I hope you have spent the past days celebrating in the Spring Festivals - Passover, The Feast of Matzah, and First Fruits. We had an especially lovely Seder meal this year and I wanted to share some photos.

Here is this year's one page haggadah! 

Daffodils are in full bloom here in the Midwest. They made gorgeous (and free) centerpieces.

I realize these aren't all technically daffodils.

We also use these super fun coasters from Matanote.

The Seder plate while this is traditional and not required by Scripture, describing the Besorah in seven courses is a beautiful portrayal of the story.

The sandwich!

Reading, "The Story of Yisrael."

This is our new favorite Pesach menu, taken from the Seder plate. We had:

Roasted Lamb

Einkorn Matzah

Tabbouli

Romaine Salad with Tahini Dressing

Veggies with Hummus

Hard-boiled Eggs

Baked Charoseth

Dessert was mini pavlovas, with chocolate coconut cream, and berries.

Happy Feast of Unleavened Bread!

DIY Matzah Pinata!

I'd like to say that the Feast of Unleavened Bread does not get the hype it deserves. We have a directive to celebrate and feast for seven days, what's not to love about that? Even though it immediately follows Passover we should let it shine on it's own and have a separate celebration for it. What's the best way to do that? A matzah pinata, of course!

You will need:
- a thin, square cardboard box (mine was about 33" by 33" by 4")
-hot glue gun
-glue sticks
-cream crepe paper (I used this kind, it's made in the USA)
-brown crepe paper
-ribbon

The process of making a pinata is simple but a little repetitive. You'll definitely want a friend to chat with or something to listen to while you do it. Basically, what you're doing is cutting fringe into your crepe paper (though I suppose this is optional), and, starting at the bottom, hot gluing your crepe paper across the box. You will want to randomly disperse bits of the brown crepe paper to resemble the different shading on matzah.

Do this the whole way round your box, one side at a time, and attach your ribbon to the top if you're going to hang it up. Be sure to use plenty of hot glue to reinforce it. My box was almost three feet square, but feel free to make it whatever size you like!

If yours is as big as mine you will need two rolls of the cream crepe paper and one of the brown. Need more specifics? Studio DIY has a super detailed guide to making pinatas. Check it out here.

Word to the wise: fill your box with candies or goodies before beginning the pinata-fying process. It's way easier.

If you don't have the heart to bash this in with a bat, this still makes a fun decor piece or even a photo booth prop. What do you guys plan on doing to celebrate Unleavened Bread this year? If you make a pinata, be sure to share a picture with me on Instagram or Facebook!

Bible Reading for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits

These are Scripture passages about the Biblical spring holidays of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. These verses will give you more insight into the Biblical information about these holidays, as well as events that happened at these times. Reading these passages is a great way to prepare for these holidays, and it's also a great way to celebrate and honor God on the actual days. Saturating yourself in the pertinent Scriptures is a great way to build anticipation for these special times and to calibrate yourself to our Creator's calendar! Here are Scriptures to read for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. They would also be great to study on the day of or to have children act out as part of the festivities.

Bible Reading for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits:

Exodus 12 - The Passover story of the Israelites leaving Egypt

Leviticus 25:5-12 - Instructions for keeping Passover and Unleavened Bread

Numbers 9:14 - All believers should celebrate the Biblical holidays

Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - Overview of the Spring Feasts 

Matthew 26-28 - The Last Supper and Death of the Messiah 

Mark 14 - The Passover meal of the Messiah 

Luke 22 - Passover meal and interrogation of the Messiah 

John 13-17 - The words of Messiah at the Passover meal

Acts 12 - YHWH frees Peter from prison during the Feast of Unleavened Bread

Acts 20:6 - After Unleavened Bread, Paul and Luke left Philippi

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Paul admonishes believers in the Messiah to celebrate the Bible holidays

More on the Biblical holidays:
The Beginner's Guide to Passover
The Beginner's Guide to Unleavened Bread
How to Celebrate First Fruits