The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Trumpets

Taking part in the Creator's appointed time of the Feast of Trumpets is an option for you, even if it's not something you have ever done before! The Biblical holidays were given to all believers, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, and they are a joy to take part in. I believe that the Creator communicates much to us through these special times, and that our faith will grow by participating in them. Here's how to get started. 

What you need to know about the Feast of Trumpets:

-It is a one-day holiday that typically happens in very late summer or early fall (in the northern hemisphere).

-It is considered a Sabbath.

-The Hebrew name for this holiday is Yom Teruah and that can be used interchangeably. 

-Yom Teruah means something like, "Day of Sounding," or "Day of Shofar Blasts."

-Shofars are a horn used as a music instrument that are typically made out of a ram's horn. Modern English uses 'trumpets' in place of shofar.

-It is a day filled with joyful noise and verbal expressions of praise to YHWH.

Spiritual significance of the Feast of Trumpets:

-The Messiah is expected to return on the Feast of Trumpets. When he said that no one knew the day or the hour of his return, he was using that as an idiom to mean the Feast of Trumpets!

-Trumpets/shofars have sounded at many weighty historic moments in Scripture, including the Battle of Jericho, the giving of the Torah, the coronation of kings, and to announce the start of Jubilee years. See this post for more.

-Starting in Revelation 8, seven trumpets are sounded by messengers. Significant events of the last days happen in this passage, and the shofars of the Feast of Trumpets remind us to be prepared and serving YHWH when those trumpets are blasted.

How to observe the Feast of Trumpets:

-Take the day off of work, errands, homework, and household chores. Since this holiday is considered a Sabbath, we aren't to do any work on it and treat it as we would the weekly Sabbath. Honor YHWH with your full attention on this day.

-Sound the trumpets. If you have a shofar, blast it on this day! Play praise music, sing to YHWH, or host or attend a worship night with live music.

-Gather with other believers, if possible. Attend congregation if that's an option or think about inviting friends and family over for Bible study, worship, or fellowship time.

-Have a special meal. Good food is an easy way to add fun and festivity to any special occasion, so think about what you'd like to enjoy! If you're getting together with other believers, consider having a potluck. 

-Remember! Leviticus 23 tells us that the Feast of Trumpets is to be a "remembrance of teruah." This is an opportunity to remember all the amazing things that YHWH caused to happen at the sound of a shofar. It is also a chance to recall and share how you have seen him at work in your own life.

More about the Biblical holiday of the Feast of Trumpets:
The Meaning of Yom Teruah and Where We See it in Scripture
Yom Teruah Scripture Reading List
Smoothie Bowls for the Feast of Trumpets

Celebrating the First and Last Days of Unleavened Bread

There is so much excitement and joy about Passover, that the Feast of Unleavened Bread often gets overlooked because of that. I wanted to share some ideas for group celebrations of this set apart time, because Scripture tells us to assemble together for the first and last days of this seven-day feast. Whether you are joining with your family, friends, small group, or congregation any of these activities would work well to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

How to celebrate Unleavened Bread with your congregation, group, or Bible study:

-Get together for leftovers from Passover. The day after Passover is the first day of Unleavened Bread, and it's also a Sabbath. Avoid cooking or spending the day preparing more food by serving up leftovers from your Passover meal. Yes, Scripture tells us not to let the leftovers from sacrificial lamb remain until the next day, but it doesn't tell us we can't have leftover salads, etc. (Also because of the Messiah, we should not be sacrificing animals!) If your menu is similar to this one, the salads, hummus, dips, and veggies all keep well as leftovers.

-Make omer counters. The counting of the omer starts on First Fruits, which typically lands during Unleavened Bread. Have everyone bring supplies to make their own omer counter. There are many different ways you could do this, but a few ideas are: scratch off omer counter, DIY flair omer counter, or this omer counter from Torah Sisters. Even having kids make paper chains would work well!

-Movie night. Have a movie night at your congregation or at home with friends. Watch The Ten Commandments or another film of the Exodus story, or other faith-based movie. Popcorn is unleavened and would be an appropriate snack to serve.

-Worship night. There's never a bad time to worship YHWH, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is no exception. Join with your congregation or Bible study for a time of worship together. It would be special to have live music, and if you're a singer or musician, this would be a great time to use your talent. Or stream some great recorded worship songs that you enjoy. Take time at some point in the evening to pray together as well.

-Read Scripture. Why not get together for a Bible study focused on a topic like bread or leavening or something else related to this time? You could also take turns reading aloud the Exodus story or the details of the Messiah's resurrection. If there are kids in your group, they could be directed to perform a skit of a pertinent Bible story. For younger kids, consider doing a puppet show or incorporating fun visual examples into the Bible stories you tell.

-Have an unleavened potluck meal. If you make homemade unleavened bread, it is nice and soft, and you can serve it with regular sandwich toppings. Unleavened sandwiches and soup or salads would be a group-friendly meal where most of the work could easily be done ahead of time.

I hope you are able to join with others to celebrate YHWH's set apart time of Unleavened Bread. If it's just you or your family, these ideas can still be applied to enjoy this time! Take time to worship, rest, celebrate, and have fun during Matzah Week!

More ideas for celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread:
My Matzah Week - What Celebrating Unleavened Bread Looks Like
12 Ways to Celebrate Unleavened Bread
The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Unleavened Bread