Here's When the Biblical Holidays Happen in 2021

The Biblical holidays are significant times for believers. The Creator set these times apart and throughout history he has used these feasts and holidays in big ways, from the Messiah being killed at Passover to the Holy Spirit being given at Shavuot, and we should expect him to continue that trend. Let's pay attention to when these special times are and take part in them like Scripture says we should!

Leviticus 23 tells us when these happen, but since the Gregorian calendar doesn't match up with the Creator's calendar the dates land a little bit differently each year. There are also a few different ways to calculate the start of the year and because of that there are several different calendars that believers go by. What I'm sharing here is the one that is mostly commonly used. Mark your calendars for these set apart times!

When do the Biblical holidays happen in 2021?

Passover - March 27-28
Feast of Unleavened Bread - March 28 - April 4
First Fruits - March 28-29
Shavuot - May 16-18
Feast of Trumpets - September 6-8
Yom Kippur - September 15-16
Feast of Tabernacles - September 20-27

A couple of things about this. According to this calendar, days start in the evening at sundown. This means that Passover starts on the evening of March 27 and goes through the evening of the 28th. This calendar also gives an extra day to both the Feast of Trumpets and Shavuot, even though in the Bible they are both just one day events.

It's also important to note that while all of these are special times, some of these are also considered Sabbath days which means we shouldn't work on them. These Sabbath days are the first and last days of Unleavened Bread, Shavuot, the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the first and last days of Tabernacles.

More on the Biblical holidays:
Reasons Why Believers Should Keep the Biblical Holidays
The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays
Biblical Holidays 2021 Dates Printable

All Things Work Together for Good: Grief, Pain, and Romans 8:28

All things work together for good. -Romans 8:28 

I was listening to a podcast with an Italian olive grower and the host asked this question that you could tell the grower thought was incredibly stupid. They had been talking about famously cold winters in years past that had damaged and killed many of his trees, the host asked if it was sustainable to keep growing olives on the outer limits of their temperature capacity. Wouldn't it be better for the olives to be in a warmer climate so they would never be damaged by the cold? Wouldn't it be better if nothing bad ever happened to the trees?

His answer was something like, "Of course it's hard on the trees. They are pushed to their absolute limits because as a gardener, I know they do better if they suffer. Suffering yields good fruit."

That really took me by surprise for a second, but of course it's true. In gardening it's important for plants to suffer or be uncomfortable or to be pruned so that they can be at their absolute best. Being stretched and pushed beyond their limits of comfort is what yields good fruit. Having a winter that is so cold that some branches and trees are lost, means more and better olives down the road. Maybe you won't see that return the very next year, or even for several years, but eventually there is no denying that the fruit is tastier and more abundant.

Are you thinking of John 15? That's where the Messiah told us that we are vines, and his Father is the gardener who prunes good branches so that they bear even more fruit, and he takes away the unfruitful parts. YHWH uses the natural to show us how things work spiritually. And in the natural, those uncomfortable, even painful, challenges are what bring forth the best fruit.

Have there been any suffering or trying circumstances in your life lately? Have you lost a loved one? Were you laid off from your job? Are you facing health challenges or strained relationships? Do you deal with anxiety or have you been stressed out by current events? While I am sincerely sorry for any pain you are in, the good news is that this will yield more fruit if we let it.

Now please hear me: I don't believe that YHWH is sitting up in Heaven passing out disease or starvation or death or abuse because that's what he wants. We live in a broken world and many things happen that are not his desire or best. He doesn't say that bad things won't happen to us but he does promise to use them for our good. And this suffering brings fruit.

As a gardener myself I cannot wish hardship on my plants. It is painful to me to see them suffering from the weather, animal encroachment, a fungus or whatnot. Ironically I spend a fair amount of time in the summer worrying if my tomato plants have enough water - when I know a bit of a drought will force them to take root. They will produce sweeter and tastier tomatoes if they lack water for a time. The plant will be stronger and more resistant to storms and disease. Because that physical challenge and discomfort yields fruit.

How many times have I as a plant or vine wished for a whole lot less suffering? Can you see me? I need water. Get these bugs off. It's too cold here! Doesn't the gardener care? I long for those temperate climates where I am comfortable all the time. I don't want to have to wonder when my provision will show up. 

YHWH is a gardener who wants good fruit. And he is skilled, and knows how to bring that out in us. What if we stopped looking at that verse in Romans like "All things work together for good in spite of the hard times," and more like, "All things work together for good, even because of the hard things"? I can't say that I am excited for pain and trials and the frustrations of life, but I am thankful that when those times come they will be an opportunity for growth and producing the very best kinds of fruit. What if we looked at those places of pain in our lives as the starting point for his amazing healing work in us? What if we were able to use the injustices we have experienced to help someone going through something similar? When we are pushed beyond our limits by life, let that bring out the very best fruits in us. 

So if you are like those olive trees who are hurting from the cold, know that you can survive this and even come out better for it. If you are in a painful season of pruning, know that your branches will become stronger for it. If you are recovering from a cold-snap or lack of water know that eventually you will produce fruit again. All these things will work together for your good.

"For this slight momentary pressure is working for us a far more exceeding and everlasting weight of esteem." -2 Corinthians 4:17

More:

When YHWH Keeps You

How Scripture Says to Handle Anxiety

Biblically Clean Meal Ideas

Are you new to Biblically clean eating and not really sure what meals should look like? Or maybe you've been doing this for a while and feel like you're stuck in a recipe rut? Find inspiration here! I'm sharing recipes for Biblically clean meals today. Most of these include meat or fish - because many of you have shared that you have a meat-and-potatoes family and I wanted to show that it's possible to Biblically clean and still consume plenty of meat if you wish. If you're looking for more vegetarian recipes see this post.

Hawaiian Chicken Tacos from Pinch of Yum

Instant Pot Pot Roast from Pinch of Yum

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas from How Sweet Eats

Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas from Cookie and Kate

Spicy Baked Fish Tacos from Minimalist Baker

One Skillet Greek Sundried Tomato Chicken and Farro from Half Baked Harvest

Jalapeno Lime Chicken Soup from Pinch of Yum

Sicilian Style Salmon with Brococli and Tomatoes from Half Baked Harvest

Loaded Veggie Nachos from Cookie and Kate

Mexican Shredded Chicken from Minimalist Baker

Parchment Baked Lemon Salmon and Potatoes with Yogurt Dill Sauce from Half Baked Harvest

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Florentine Pasta from Pinch of Yum

Weeknight Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken Meatballs from Half Baked Harvest

Garlic Basil Whitefish Skillet with Tomato Butter Sauce from Pinch of Yum

Slow Cooker Turkey and White Bean Chili from Half Baked Harvest

Please know that all of the recipes I share here, whether for the Sabbath or Passover or whatever else are of course Biblically clean and can be enjoyed whenever you like!

Related posts:

How To Eat Biblically Clean - this post is a practical guide to changing your diet.

Biblically Clean Slow Cooker Recipes

Tacos That are Biblically Clean
Biblically Clean Summer Salads

Sharing Your Faith When Someone Wishes You Merry Christmas

When you don't celebrate Christmas it can be more than a little awkward to get "Merry Christmas" wishes multiple times a day. How can we best handle these sentiments? What are ways we can speak truth in a brief exchange at the checkout counter? How can we share our faith with coworkers and neighbors without jumping on the soapbox and having their defenses go up?

Many of you asked how I respond when someone says this to me. This is certainly not an exhaustive list of ideas, just a few things I find myself repeating at this time of year. Remind yourself that if someone wishes you a merry Christmas, or asks about your plans for the holiday, they probably sincerely mean well. You can respond with kindness without reverting to their words or even a "you too!" as you slip out the door. 

Simple phrases to respond with:

"Have a good day/weekend/vacation!" 

"Thank you for your kind wishes."

"I hope you have a nice time with your family."

"That's so kind of you to say! I actually don't celebrate Christmas but I appreciate the thought."

"I haven't celebrated Christmas for a few years now, so I don't really have any plans for the day. It's nice to not have the stress of shopping for gifts!"

"We decided to start celebrating the Biblical holidays in place of the cultural, so we haven't participated in Christmas activities for several years."

"I have felt God calling me to step back from the manmade holiday of Christmas. It's been an interesting journey and I'd love to tell you more about it sometime if you're interested."

"I don't celebrate Christmas anymore. I used to and totally get why you do. It's been quite a change but I feel like my faith has really grown because of it."

Of course, these are just ideas and phrases I use and you can customize them to fit your circumstances. It's not uncommon for me to use a couple at a time either. Usually I try to keep the tone of the conversation pretty upbeat. That's one reason I like to mention something that I enjoy about not celebrating Christmas - that my faith has grown or that I'm free from the stress of the holiday season. 

I'd also encourage you to be honest and real with whoever you're talking to. Admitting that stepping away from Christmas was difficult can go a long way with the people who put their tree up in October and don't take it down until February. Hearing that you had conviction - and acted on that past the point of convenience and comfort - definitely gives the people in your life something to think about. It's nice to have a little more time to talk when you delve into this perspective, but that said you can certainly quickly convey the idea of "It has been hard, but it's really been worth it!"

Sharing sentiments like these is an invitation for the hearer to evaluate their own actions, and the concept of Christmas in general. Many people truly do not realize that Christmas is not a Biblical holiday, and won't unless someone can give them a gentle nudge. Remember that it's not your job to explain all the details or to convince someone that Christmas isn't YHWH's best for them. It's our job to plant seeds, and sharing our faith like this is one way we can do that.

More on Christmas:
Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas
Quitting Christmas
The Christmas Question
The Hebrew's Guide to Getting Through December