Holy Days

Answer: The simple answer is that there is a huge difference between these two observances. One is a biblically sanctioned festival of God; the other is a man-made festival without biblical authorization. One teaches us how to live godly lives; the other masks this important truth.

The Days of Unleavened Bread, commanded by God (Leviticus 23:6) and observed by the early Christians (1 Corinthians 5:6-8), teach us to put sin (represented by leavened items such as bread and cake) out of our lives. This festival teaches us that we must overcome sin with the help of God's Spirit and live righteously.

Easter, in contrast to the Days of Unleavened Bread, not only lacks biblical authorization but was instituted by men who deliberately replaced God's commanded festival with one derived from paganism to make Christianity more accommodating to converts who wanted to hold on to pagan traditions. In doing so, they imposed on this festival a Christian meaning—to celebrate Christ's resurrection.

As wonderful as Christ's resurrection is, the Bible specifically tells us to annually commemorate His death, which we do in the annual Passover observance (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25), but it does not give the same instruction about His resurrection. We do essentially commemorate Jesus' resurrection, though, in the commanded festival of God during which it happened—the Days of Unleavened Bread. His resurrection is crucial to the plan of God and the process of leading us out of sin. Indeed, we must progress beyond the fact that Jesus was raised to following our living Lord in the way we live our lives.

By the way, where do you read about using rabbits and Easter eggs to remember Christ's resurrection in the Bible? Answer: Nowhere.

Given the history of Easter, it is quite understandable why so many people today think of Christianity as only a celebration of what Christ has done for us instead of the honorable quest to live godly lives. If you want all the facts, request our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep?

Answer: There are huge differences between Christmas and Easter and the Holy Days God commanded His people to observe. Christmas and Easter are man-made festivals without biblical authorization. God's festivals mentioned in Leviticus 23 are biblically sanctioned and were commanded forever. God's Holy Days teach us how to live godly lives and give us hope by explaining His plan of salvation. Christmas and Easter customs and celebrations mask these important truths.

As an example, the Days of Unleavened Bread, commanded by God (Leviticus 23:6) and observed by the early Christians (1 Corinthians 5:6-8), teach us to put sin (represented during this weeklong festival by leavened items such as bread and cake) out of our lives. This festival teaches us that we must struggle to overcome sin with the help of God's Spirit and live righteously. Easter celebrations ignore this important instruction.

The contrast between the biblically authorized Feast of Tabernacles and Christmas is similar. The former inspires us with hope in Christ's future 1,000-year reign on earth in the Kingdom of God, while the latter celebrates His birth with traditions, ornaments and customs He would not approve, on a day He could not have been born. (The Bible shows His birth was nowhere near Dec. 25.)

Easter and Christmas not only lack biblical authorization, but they entered traditional Chriatianity through men who deliberately replaced God's commanded festivals with their own. Trying to justify the change, both of these pagan (pre-Christian) festivals were dressed up with supposed Christian meanings—one to celebrate Christ's resurrection, the other His birth.

As wonderful as Christ's birth and resurrection are, the Bible does not tell us to celebrate these things (and especially not with the pagan customs associated with them). Instead, it tells us to annually commemorate His death (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) and to seek the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). God commands us to observe His Holy Days (Leviticus 23), which help us do these things. Using rabbits and Easter eggs to remember Christ's resurrection or decorating evergreen trees to remember His birth comes not from the Bible, but from ancient paganism.

Given the history and meanings of Easter and Christmas, it is quite understandable why so many people today think of Christianity as only a celebration of what Christ has done for us instead of the honorable quest to live godly lives in anticipation of His return to establish the Kingdom of God.

If you want more of the facts about Christmas and Easter, request our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? Additional information about God's annual Holy Days is presented in our free booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. You will find both of these booklets at www.ucg.org/booklets/.

The festivals of God reveal His plan for the salvation of mankind in a step-by-step manner. Once you understand them, you can explain God's plan from beginning to end.

Briefly, the meanings of the biblical festivals are as follows:

Passover reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins.

The Days of Unleavened Bread point us to the need to seek God's help to live a sinless life based on the Ten Commandments and the other laws of God.

Pentecost reminds us of the pouring out of God's Holy Spirit upon His people and the founding of the Church. It reminds us that this is not the only day of salvation. It is the time of evaluative judgment of those God is calling at this time.

The Feast of Trumpets reminds us of the coming of Jesus Christ at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and the resurrection of those who have responded to God.

The Day of Atonement pictures the binding of Satan. Besides showing Satan's responsibility in instigating sin, it reminds us of Christ's sacrifice for all mankind, which makes it possible for man to be reconciled to (or made "at-one" with) God.

The Feast of Tabernacles represents the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth.

The Last Great Day represents the second resurrection when all those who never had the opportunity to understand God's way of life will be given that opportunity. 

The explanation above does not include scriptural references, so the details are missing. To better understand the festivals of God, we recommend you read God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.