Why Hanukkah is Not a Biblical Holiday

"But isn't Hanukkah in the Bible?"

"Hanukkah is in the Bible so it's a Biblical holiday."

"Jesus celebrated Hanukkah!"

"The book of Maccabees was in the Bible Jesus read so Hanukkah is a Bible holiday."

I've heard statements like this so many times recently that I want to shed some light on the fact that Hanukkah is not a Biblical holiday, and explain what that means for believers in Messiah. It's crazy how defensive and even vicious people can get about this topic! This post is to help us come to understand truths around this holiday - whether or not we choose to celebrate it. 

Why isn't Hanukkah a Biblical holiday?

The Biblical holidays are set apart times that YHWH himself created and told us to celebrate. Please read that again. The Bible holidays of Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles were created and ordained by the Living God. Scripture tells us to celebrate them in Leviticus 23, and Deuteronomy 16. They come up in many places throughout the Bible. Significantly the Messiah was killed on Passover, less significantly Paul mentions that sailing was dangerous because it was after Yom Kippur (Acts 27:9). We are told to keep these holidays forever.

Why isn't Hanukkah included in the list of Biblical holidays? Because YHWH didn't tell us to celebrate it. It's not found in the Leviticus 23 list or anywhere else in Scripture.

"But Hanukkah is in the Bible!"

There is a mention of the Messiah being at the Temple during the "Feast of Dedication" in John 10:22 (most translations just say during winter). Many people in the Messianic movement have taken this as a directive to celebrate Hanukkah, but it's a pretty big jump to conclude that anything the Bible mentions is automatically ordained. Most of us recognize that just because Acts 19:28 says, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians," that's not a Biblical truth or directive for what we should say! And the Messiah being somewhere does not automatically legitimize something, or require our celebration. He spent time with sinners - that does not mean he approved of their actions! We know he attended weddings, but no one is having a holiday every year to remember the wedding where he turned water into wine.

We should also note that if you read John 10, the first thing the Messiah says is that the people there didn't believe his words. Nothing in the passage would give you the idea that he's lighting up a nine-branch hanukkiah or in agreement with everything happening there. The Bible frequently talks about Jewish customs that were manmade, and a significant portion of the Messiah's words are of him speaking against these manmade traditions. It would be surprising if he suddenly had no qualms with something religious leaders had made up. He certainly would not have put any manmade holiday on the same level as the set apart ones created by his Father.

"But the books of Maccabees were in the Bible Jesus read!"

Something that many people overlook about the book of Maccabees is that nowhere in it does YHWH say that people should celebrate Hanukkah. Even if Maccabees were or should be included in the Biblical canon, they contain no directive to create a holiday based on the events recorded. The books also contain nothing about the supposed miracle of one day's worth of oil lasting for eight days, which is what the manmade hanukkiah light is based on. 

Many believers in Messiah that celebrate Hanukkah are quick to rebuke others for celebrating Christmas...even though both holidays are "Bible based." 

I'm sick of people verbally abusing Christians who celebrate Christmas, saying that they are pagan because Christmas isn't a holiday found in the Bible, then turning around and taking part in another holiday that is also not found in Scripture. This double-standard is unfair, and a poor testimony of the work of the Messiah in our lives, and shows a lack of understanding of the word.

"But I want to celebrate the amazing story of the Maccabees!"

That's your choice, but be aware you are doing that because that's what you want to do - not because YHWH commanded it. I agree that the Maccabees story is inspirational! But something having spiritual significance doesn't automatically make it a Bible holiday. Christmas is also not a Biblical holiday, even though it is based on Bible events and has meaning to its celebrants. We could take any Bible story and turn it into our own holiday if we wanted. There could be David and Goliath Day or Water Into Wine Wednesdays. We could invent these holidays and they could be fun, meaningful, and teach Biblical truths...but that doesn't put them on par with the holidays YHWH created.

If you want to celebrate Hanukkah, that's your choice. But don't do so thinking that it's a Biblical holiday, because it's not - it's a holiday invented by man. Manmade holidays aren't always bad, but we shouldn't esteem them as highly as the Biblical holidays the Living God directed to celebrate. Hanukkah is not a holiday the Bible commands us to celebrate.

*Please note that this post is to clarify why Hanukkah is not included in the seven Biblical holidays. I realize it is a significant holiday in Judaism, with historic and spiritual meaning. I mean no disrespect to that. My goal is to teach the distinction between what Scripture says and Jewish customs. Many Jews have told me they don't want to see the Messianic movement appropriating their culture, which is why I want believers in Messiah to know the difference between Jewish culture and Biblical commandments. Blessings to all!

Related posts:
What Believers in Messiah Need to Keep in Mind about Hanukkah
Why Christmas is Not a Biblical Holiday
Why I Don't Celebrate Hanukkah

Here's Why Believers Should Celebrate the Biblical Holidays

Did you know that no matter what your background is you're called to keep the Biblical set apart times? These aren't just for people in the past or in the future. They aren't just for people who know for a fact their ancestors were the people in the Bible. They are for all of us and each set apart times presents a tremendous opportunity for spiritual growth! With each Biblical holiday that we take part in we learn more about the nature and character of YHWH, and we get to see these parts of Scripture come to life.

Why should we be keeping the feasts?

-We are told to keep these set apart times forever (Exodus 12:14). Do we really need any reasons beyond this? Following Scripture's instructions is in our best interest, whether that necessarily makes sense to us or not. The word tells us to participate in these things, and that should be reason enough - especially when it's something joyful like celebrating a holiday!

-We see the Messiah celebrating these times in Scripture. Many significant events in the Messiah's life happened around the feasts. Yahusha hosted a Passover meal (also known as the last supper), he had much to say at the Feast of Tabernacles, and even expressly told his brothers to go the festival. He rose from the grave on First Fruits, and commanded his disciples to stick around for Shavuot. And he should be our example, right? We are supposed to live like he did, and he celebrated the feasts!

-The New Testament tells us to keep the feasts (1 Corinthians 5:8). Even after the Messiah was ascended into heaven we are told to keep these festivals. By the way, Paul was not just talking to Jewish people here. Corinthians was written to Greek believers, so he didn't just mean for only Jewish people or people living in the land of Israel to celebrate these times. This is a New Testament passage telling us to keep the feasts.

-Scripture tells us not to let anyone judge us for doing this (Colossians 2:16). Why does the Bible mention this if it doesn't expect us to take part in these things? In his all knowing, YHWH knew we would be facing some peer pressure to not keep the feasts. I think that's why in Colossians he reminded us to not let other's opinions make our decisions for us, and to encourage us to take part in these days even when it isn't popular or convenient. We are not to let someone else's opinion change our resolve to keep these special times with our Creator!

-We gain a better understanding of Scripture by participating in these holy times. This is the difference between just reading about something and doing it for yourself. We can share in the experiences of Scripture and better relate to what the Israelites and our Messiah went through. By taking part in the festivals of YHWH we learn more of the Messiah's life, and can grow in prophetic understanding of these times. These times are not pointless or cutesy, they are in Scripture for a reason and we would all benefit to learn more.

-These are times of joy! I don't know anyone who would mind being happier or who wouldn't benefit from a more joyful heart. This is an opportunity for that! Life can be stressful and painful. Schedules can be jam-packed with drudgery. Relationships can be strained or hurtful. Scripture offers us a remedy for those things...and it's participating in the Creator's holy days. Leviticus 23:40 says these are times for rejoicing. If you need more joy in your life here is your opportunity.

The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays

Why I Started Celebrating the Biblical Feasts
Why Biblical Holidays are for All Believers

Autumn Anticipation - Fresh Perspective on the Biblical Holidays

Is it legalism to celebrate the Biblical holidays?

If you are someone that keeps the Creator's set apart times, then chances are good that someone has told you that you're being legalistic. Or maybe you've heard about the Biblical holidays but you've always thought keeping them would be akin to picking up a giant burden of legalism?

I have been told by many well-meaning Believers that celebrating Passover, Sukkot, and the rest of the feasts is a burden that is just too heavy to bear. And that sure, while it's in the Bible, YHWH never intended us to be so excessive as to actually observe these times. And to be honest, I guess I used to feel that way too. But that was before I started celebrating. Now that I have experienced these things for myself and know the joy that comes from that I wouldn't want to go back to ignoring the times Scripture says to set apart. I don't find anything legalistic, overbearing, or unpleasant about them. It is meaningful and joyful to celebrate the holidays given to us by the Creator.

Every year I marvel at how many churches and ministries have special events going on during the Feasts. There are retreats and fall festivals during Sukkot. Ice cream socials and special worship nights happen on Shavuot. Every year a church down the road from us has a beef and noodle dinner (unintentionally) on Yom Teruah.

I could literally give you a hundred examples of things like this. Churches host potlucks and concerts. Youth groups camp out during Sukkot. Ministries have fund raising events or volunteer appreciation night. Does anyone think going to one of these things is being legalistic?

Really, do you think it's legalism to put together a special event? What if it's an event intended to honor YHWH or to bring his people together? Do you feel like that's something that shouldn't be done or something that the Creator wouldn't want?

If you don't currently celebrate the Biblical holidays, you should know that the celebrations are a lot like the above events. A night of worship, a beef and noodle dinner, or carnival activities would all be great ways to spend one of the set apart times...and if you don't have a problem with doing those things at other times of year, why is it a problem to do them when Scripture tells us to?

Recently there was a social media post by a popular Christian author about how excited she was for Labor Day and how she could get behind any holiday that calls for a day off. Well good news for her, there are seven days in Scripture where we are told to rest. (In addition to the weekly Sabbath.)

I truly believe that our Creator put a longing deep within each of us to celebrate his festivals, and that's why people go so nuts for Fall, are overjoyed at the thought of Springtime approaching, and are so ready for summer by the end of May...these are all times he has set apart for us. But if we don't know what his holidays are, or if we have believed the lie that these days are somehow bad, then that desire might end up manifesting as a love for pumpkin spice lattes, cute sweaters, and the leaves changing colors, or being excited for Labor Day. That longing is there for a purpose and The Creator has more for us at these times of year.

More on the Biblical set apart times:
You are invited to keep the Feasts!
What are the Biblical holidays?
Celebrate Yom Teruah
Honoring Yom Kippur as a Believer in Messiah
Why I started celebrating the Biblical holidays

First Fruits Celebration

This time of year I usually post pictures from Passover but I thought it would be fun to mix it up and share some from a First Fruits celebration I attended. First Fruits is when Israel historically presented the first of the barley harvest to YHWH, and it is also when Yahusha was raised from the dead. What reasons we have to celebrate this Biblical holiday!

It was a simple get together; just an informal 'bring a snack or dessert.' We turned on some music, ate and chatted. Then talked about the Messiah's resurrection and read Scripture related to that.

Since the omer count begins on First Fruits, some sort of omer counter makes the perfect party favor! You could also make your own counters at the party for a fun group activity.

Here's a great idea for Matzah Week: if you're making homemade matzah, try rolling it into smaller pieces to use like you would crackers. It can still be soft or you can bake it longer to have it be crunchy. It's great with hummus and other spreads like this smoked salmon dip.

I love getting to celebrate this truth with a group of believers and would definitely encourage everyone to do so as well! Messiah rose from the grave = best day ever, right?! As Paul said, "Let us keep the feast!" (1 Corinthians 5:8)

Do you guys know about resurrection cookies? They are a meringue cookie and each step of the recipe symbolizes the story of the Messiah's death and resurrection, like beating the walnuts to symbolize how Yahusha was beaten by soldiers. You leave them in the oven over night and then they are empty when they are finished. I can share the recipe if anyone is interested.

Happy First Fruits everyone! What do you guys do to celebrate?

Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas

Here are five things every Believer should know about Christmas:

1. Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible. You can read the entirety of Scripture and you will not once come across 'Christmas.' Luke 2 and other places give some details of the birth of the Messiah, but without question this didn't happen on December 25 or even in December. You will not find the events of Christmas celebrations in Scripture, even by a different name (at least in a positive light). It just isn't there. Take a moment to consider the wisdom of basing a considerable block of your faith on something other than the word of God. What did the Messiah say about building your house on sand?

2. Many of its traditions are expressly prohibited by Scripture. This includes bringing a Christmas tree into your home to decorate (Jeremiah 10:2-4), the traditional Christmas ham (Leviticus 11:7), many nativity scenes (Exodus 20:4), and more. Does it make sense to try and worship YHWH by doing things he tells us not to? What does it say about us if we aren't willing to follow some basic instructions from him?

3. Scripture does not tell us to celebrate Christmas. Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to celebrate Christmas or even the Messiah's birthday. If this had been something the Creator wanted us to do, he would have told us! Yahusha had many chances to throw himself birthday parties, but we don't see that. The Disciples could have preached on celebrating Christmas, but they didn't. However, Leviticus 23 gives us the details on seven set apart times of YHWH that we are to observe, and we can see these honored by both the Messiah and the Disciples.

4. Christmas predates the birth of the Messiah by centuries. There is a reason so many cultures and faiths celebrate Christmas, because it's not a holiday that is rooted in Scripture. The December 25 Christmas holiday has a long history of honoring the sun god or other pagan gods around the time of the winter solstice. So no, this isn't something that started out as a nice little way to honor the Messiah's birthday. This is something that originated from faiths against the Living God. While YHWH certainly could choose to redeem it, according to Scripture that is not how he handles things of pagan origin. One such example would be 2 Kings 10:27, when rather than 'redeeming' a perfectly usable temple of ba'al for his own glory he had it made into a public toilet. Here is a good article on Christmas predating the Messiah.

5. The lies of Christmas undermine faith! In our culture, children are told stories of beings they don't see but who do nice things for them. Santa brings presents, the Easter bunny gives candy, and the tooth fairy leaves money under pillows. In time children are let down (Or devastated. These things can hurt.) with the truth...that these are just lies. How does that impact their faith in the Messiah, whom they also can't see, but supposedly loves them and will give them eternal life? I don't think we can emphasize enough how confusing and detrimental these lies are to faith. Even if your children know Santa isn't real, what are the implications for their faith when they find out Christmas isn't in the Bible? It's frustrating and confusing to realize that the Christian faith isn't based on following YHWH's commandments, and if we don't believe we should do as YHWH instructs in one area, why would we in another? 

Those are a few of the reasons why I decided to stop celebrating Christmas. For more on what it's been like to walk away from a beloved and ubiquitous holiday please see this post.

DIY Shavuot Basket

Here's a fun and super simple DIY that you can make for Shavuot!

A lot of you have said that you have trouble finding decorations for the feasts - here's something that you can make for just a few dollars in about fifteen minutes. If you don't have a basket at home to use, head to a thrift shop. Each one I go to is always well stocked with baskets and they are rarely more than a few dollars. I found mine for 50 cents. Since you'll be painting it, the color doesn't matter. Just find a size and style you like. 

You can use this DIY Shavuot basket for decoration or for gifting a few treats to your kids or a friend. And speaking of gifts, does anyone give presents for any of the festivals? To me Shavuot is a great time to do that, if it's your thing. Since it's only a one day celebration, there's a lot less to do, plus you don't have to worry about cleaning the leaven out of the kitchen, like for Matzah Week, or packing up to go somewhere for Sukkot. So gift giving can be a way to make Shavuot fun and special. Of course, you don't have to give gifts and there's a lot of other things you can use this basket for if you decide to keep it for yourself.

You will need:
Basket (mine is about eight inches across and eleven inches high)
Craft letters (mine are about an inch and a half high. I think refrigerator magnets would work too)
Glue gun
Spray paint

Place your basket on its side and then set the letters around the handle to get a rough idea of placement. Start with your V (since it's the the middle letter of Shavuot), and place it approximately in the center of the handle to help with symmetry. Space the letters as close or far apart as you wish. You can use a marker to dot the handle where each letter will go.

Once you know where your V is going, use hot glue to attach the bottom of the letter to the basket handle. Since the bottom of the letter has a pretty small surface area you will want to hold the letter in place for 20 or 30 seconds to make sure it stays where you want it. Once your first letter is secure move on to the next. I worked from the inside out adding the letters to help with the symmetry. 

When you have all of the letters on for Shavuot, let it dry a few minutes to make sure your glue is set. Then you're ready to spray paint it in the color of your choice. I used coral. Check the directions of your spray paint for approximate drying time. I let mine dry overnight.

And voila - you have a Shavuot basket! Fill these with treats for the kids or a friend. You could also use this as a bread basket for serving or to hold cards or favors at a Shavuot get together. Or fill with muffins or fruit for a friend. 

Feel free to use a bigger or smaller basket depending on what you're planning on doing with this. Obviously, you could use this DIY for any other holiday as well.

Gifts in my basket:
Ten Commandments Gummies
YHWH Echad Pin
Pins and stickers from Walk in Love
Ruach and Roll sticker
Yahweh Bracelet

Other ideas:
Sidewalk chalk
Craft supplies
Matchbox car or small toy
Seed packets
Necklace or bracelet
Menorah ring dish
Candy or chocolate
Dried fruit
Bubbles
Doodle Portions Coloring Book

More on Shavuot activities:
Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot
DIY Shavuot Cupcake Toppers
Milk and Honey Desserts for Shavuot

Honoring Yom Kippur as a Believer in Messiah

What does it look like for a believer in Yahusha to honor Yom Kippur in the 21st century? This is not really a day we've seen much of. And what we have seen is mostly from those who do not serve the Messiah. Is it appropriate to swing a chicken over my head, hoping it will take the punishment for my sins? Since Yahusha has taken our guilt, shouldn't this day honor and reflect that? Shouldn't this day be filled with the hope that is found in the Messiah?

I'm sharing with you what Yom Kippur has been like for me in years past. Not so that you can copy it exactly, but so that you have a starting point for what your day can look like. It doesn't have to be solemn or miserable. There are many more possibilities: a congregational get together, corporate prayer, a family celebration, a trip to the lake, worship time, reflection, and children's crafts would all be great options to incorporate in your day. I know some of you choose to fast all day while others do not so I'm not going to get into that debate. If you're not fasting have a festive meal. If you are wait until sundown to enjoy special foods.

The evening before - We have a late dinner. If you're fasting I would recommend doing this as close to sundown as possible. There's no reason to start the fast hungry. Eat a filling meal and drink plenty of water but don't stuff yourself. There's no reason to have an uncomfortable set apart day either. Before a fast I like to eat lots of vegetables and some sort of starch like rice, lentils, or potatoes. Fiber helps you to feel fuller longer, while sugar makes you hungry and thirsty a bit sooner. Dinner is a nice, relaxed atmosphere of good food and conversation. Lighting candles makes it feel a bit more festive and special.

The evening of Yom Kippur - Once it is dark after dinner and Yom Kippur has officially begun (Vayikra 23:32 specifies that this set apart time is evening to evening), we have Bible study and usually end up focusing on a certain word or topic. Last year it was anah (the word translated as afflict in Vayikra 23:27), but there are a lot of good study subjects for Yom Kippur. Azazel, atonement, covering, and the Melchizedek priesthood of Yahusha would all be good to delve into.

In the morning - We like to sleep in. This is a day of rest after all. Once I am up and around I head outside for some personal prayer time. I can't think of a place in Scripture where fasting isn't partnered together with prayer so please don't miss this important part of Yom Kippur! There's a huge list of topics to cover from family and relationships to health and finances. I pray for better understanding of Scripture, persecuted believers, restoration of the lost tribes, and anything else that comes to mind.

Early afternoon - If we don't have a congregational gathering to attend we head to a park or lake in the afternoon. Getting out of the house helps make this day a bit more special, and being in a beautiful spot of creation is peaceful and inspirational. Also, if you're fasting it's easier to do that when you're not right next to your kitchen. We enjoy a short walk and then find a spot to read the book of Hebrews. This book is significant to read during this time because Yom Kippur is traditionally a time when the Levitical priesthood is emphasized. A correct understanding of Hebrews brings so much clarity to the priesthood of Messiah and his followers. More on that here.

We pray together and walk a bit more before leaving. Since sacrificial offerings used to be a large part of Yom Kippur, we talk about what our offering can be to YHWH for this day - finances to special projects, time donated, ways we can further his Kingdom with what he has given us.

Early evening - This could seem a little silly but once we are back at home I like to watch the Hanna Barbera Jonah video. Jonah is a book that traditionally is read during Yom Kippur and this is a fun take on that. If there's time left before dinner we might do more Scripture reading or just talk.

Dinner - We like to have a special meal with family and sometimes friends. We prepare something simple and delicious ahead of time, maybe soup and a sandwich spread. Others like to break the fast with 'break-fast', and serve up frittata, fresh fruit, and yogurt. A white table setting or white clothing can be used to symbolize being washed white as snow from our sins.

So that's what Yom Kippur has been like for me. I'm planning that this year will be the most joyous yet! How about you? What is Yom Kippur like at your house?

Related posts:
The Meaning of Yom Kippur (Day of Covering)
Yom Kippur Bible Verses
Prayer and Fasting on Yom Kippur

Elegant Feast of Trumpets Party Idea: Music and Moonlight

Here is a fantastic theme for a Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah celebration: music and moonlight! Scripture tells us that for this Biblical holiday, festivities call for not working, lots of music and shofar blasts, and that it happens under the light of the Biblical calendar's seventh new moon. That's what we're going with to throw a beautiful and elegant party, complete with DIY decorations like signage and place settings that utilize old sheet music!

Music and moonlight. We are taking what Scripture says and going with it. The foundation of this table setting is super simple. I picked up a book of sheet music at a thrift store, cut the pages out, and taped them together until I had a runner that was long enough for my table. It took only a few minutes and cost pennies, making it a very inexpensive table setting for the Feast of Trumpets.

Why not have an evening under the stars and take advantage of the nice fall weather? Traditionally, to confirm the right day and hour for Yom Teruah, the new moon was searched for, so it makes sense to be outside. Lovely music is always a happy addition to any of the feasts, but it is never more appropriate than for the holiday that is literally known as Trumpets and is about the power of sound. What an opportunity we have for worship!

I used my sheet music again. This time I stuck it in a regular printer, and captured the theme of the evening, music and moonlight. You could also print things like:

Welcome to the Feast of Trumpets
Happy Yom Teruah!

Make a joyful noise
Shout to God with a voice of joy. -Psalm 47:1
Sound the trumpets.
Guest's names

The thirty cent piano songbook was put to use again to make a custom Yom Teruah bunting sign or banner. This makes for such an easy DIY project but looks quite lovely as you can see! It can be done in a printer or entirely by hand.

Here's how to make a DIY Yom Teruah sign.

You will need:
Sheet music pages
String
Glue or tape
Printer or markers or paint

What you do for the printer version:

Put pieces of sheet music where your regular paper goes. It will need to be of similar size to the paper you regularly print on.

Select a font you like and individually print letters to spell out the message you'd like your banner to say. I went with Yom Teruah, but you could certainly do Happy Yom Teruah or Happy Trumpets, or whatever else you'd like.

After you've printed the letters, cut the paper into triangles.

Tape or glue your letters onto string.

To do this by hand:

Simply cut your sheet music into triangles and write or paint on the letters. Once they are dry, tape or glue the letter signs on the string.

Flowers for the Yom Teruah table. Look for wildflowers that are in season in your area! The yellow flower on the table is goldenrod and it makes for lovely decoration. You could also gift your guests with a small vase of it if you'd like.

What's a lovelier way to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets than with a candlelit alfresco dinner with string music? If your family or congregation has musicians, you can ask them to take turns playing. A group hymn sign would also be beautiful. Not musically inclined? Play worship music in the background.

This celebration theme of music and moonlight is a beautiful way to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets, and can be done very inexpensively. In addition to shofar sounding and any live music, create a playlist of background music to play during dinner. Good violin or piano is very elegant and I like to play string versions of my favorite songs.

These ideas go to show that it can be quite simple to put together an elegant celebration to honor God during the Feast of Trumpets. Make decorations out of inexpensive sheet music, use instruments and wildflowers as part of your decor, and play festive music. If you have a menorah it will look stunning lit around dusk!

More ideas for the fall feasts:
Swoon Worthy Yom Teruah Party
Easy Stargazing Sukkot Party
The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Trumpets