The Book of Leviticus summarizes the biblical Holy Days, in Chapter 23. These are appointments with God that Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) observed during His life and ministry, and Jewish people still celebrate them today. In Hebrew, the Spring Feasts are Pesach and Matzot, Bikkurim and Shavuot. In English, they’re called Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Firstfruits, and the Feast of Weeks.
Messianic Jewish Holidays and Celebrations
Bread and Breath - Shavuot's Gifts
April 23, 2021
Shavuot 2021 is May 17 and starts at sundown the evening before. When God called Israel out of Egypt to be a people unto Him, He commanded they observe annual “appointed times” before Him. Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, is one of them. It’s a commemoration of receiving, offering and thanksgiving. The gift of bread In ancient Israel, Shavuot was an agricultural feast. Every man physically able was to bring the first of his wheat crop to the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord...
Read MoreEntering 2021 with Thanksgiving and Praise!
December 23, 2020
We’ve come to our last “Prayer Points” for 2020, and we are ending the year with some wonderful praises. After having to cancel or postpone several Outreaches and congregational trips in 2020, we were finally able to visit both Ethiopia and Zimbabwe in the last months of the year. What a blessing it was to minister in person! Please join us in these celebrations and ongoing prayer requests: Medical Clinic in Dawro, Ethiopia This small Medical Clinic was like a family reunion as our U...
Read MoreChanukah Night 8: Rededication – Living Out Our Faith
December 17, 2020
On this eighth night of Chanukah, we reflect on rededication in a way that calls us to live out our faith in the Lord in such a way that serves others and glorifies Him. Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings Place eight candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandmen...
Read MoreChanukah Night 7: Rededication – Faith and Trust
December 16, 2020
On this seventh night of Chanukah, we look back at the eagerness with which the Jewish people longed to rededicate the Temple after its defilement, and we consider this holiday’s invitation to rededicate our lives to the Lord. Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings Place seven candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of...
Read MoreChristmas and Chanukah: The Questions You’ve Always Had
December 15, 2020
It’s “the most wonderful time of year,” and both Christians and Jewish people enjoy the winter holiday season. This episode of A Jew and A Gentile Discuss is informative, personal and oh-so relevant. And we can almost guarantee that you’ll be surprised at some of the things you’ll learn. Carly and Ezra ask each other about their holiday impressions, understandings and traditions growing up and how things changed after coming to faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Then, Carly digs deeper to underst...
Read MoreChanukah Night 6: Eyes to See the Miraculous
December 15, 2020
On this sixth night of Chanukah, we consider the everyday miraculous gifts the Lord provides. Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings Place six candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the World. Blessed are...
Read MoreChanukah Night 5: God of Miracles
December 14, 2020
On this fifth night of Chanukah, we rejoice in our miracle-working Lord. Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings Place five candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the World. Blessed are You, LORD, our God,...
Read MoreChanukah Night 4: Victories in Every Day
December 13, 2020
On this fourth night of Chanukah, we give thanks for the everyday victories the Lord has made possible for us. Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings Place four candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the Wor...
Read MoreChanukah Night 3: Our Victorious God
December 12, 2020
On this third night of Chanukah, we reflect on the Chanukah story and God as the Mighty Warrior who has already won the victory over evil. Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings Place three candles in the chanukiah tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the ...
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