It’s very interesting to note that the word “holiday” – as translated in most English Bibles – only occurs 4 times and is exclusive to one book from the Old Testament. While the Hebrew culture is/was filled with numerous feasts and celebrations, many of which we would call, holidays, most of them were primarily celebrated with a stout religious focus, generally celebrating the miraculous works of God.
However, in the book of Esther, 2:18, Persian King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), who “loved Esther more than all the women,” hosted a celebratory banquet when she became the queen. Esther’s Banquet, as it was called, became a “holiday” for all the provinces, and the king gave gifts according to his vast “bounty.” Therefore, the idea of a “holiday” – as translated in our English Bibles – is literally birthed from that which was/is a “good day.”
This same word Hebrew word configuration appears 3 more times in the book of Esther, 8:17; 9:19; 9:22. In each case these are “good days” of great rejoicing and celebration. The account in 9:22 is intriguing,
Because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
This event ultimately led to “Purim” — a traditional Jewish celebration (not instigated as part of the Mosaic Law) which was established by Mordecai (vs 20-28) and Esther (vs 29-32), and commemorated the Jews’ deliverance from the malice of Haman. This Feast of Purim continues today as a reminder, year after year, that God saved/protected Israel from destruction by the hands of anti-semitic pagans.
In addition, please also note that their rejoicing/celebrating produced a spirit/attitude of giving and generosity as they were sending food to one another and even providing gifts to the poor.
This was an exceptional occasion in which “sorrow” was transformed into “gladness,” and “mourning” into a fabulous “holiday” (good day)!
Now, there’s nothing spiritually wrong with meaningful traditions, as long as the tradition remains substantially meaningful and has not completely lost its meaning … growing/becoming meaningless!
To be truthful/honest as your Pastor, I’m not so sure about many of our current holidays. Through the years, I’ve diligently attempted to restore value and bring meaning to worthwhile holidays in our nation, as well as Christian traditions that hold legitimate biblical resolve.
However, when tradition and holidays gradually become traditionalism … we get ourselves into real trouble. Theologian Jaroslav Pelikan once boldly declared,
Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.
As you know, Christ’s Church is always one generation short of extinction; and if we don’t pass on to our children and grand-children what God has done in/for us, as well as in those of previous generations, the Church will die of/from apathy and ignorance. There are holidays that give glory to God as long as the people of Christ’s Church remain consistently true to the authentic/real origin and meaning of these celebrations.
Undoubtedly, to see the hand of God in history and praise Him for His abundant goodness, glorious work, and miraculous mercy, is perhaps the best way for believers to openly and willfully celebrate any “holiday!”
Christmas (Advent) is here (happens every year as far as I can tell).
What then shall we do with this “Holiday?”
His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) — Pastor Frank