After we come to realize that the Holy Days are vitally important to
mankind and eminently applicable to our modern world, we naturally want
to learn more about how to observe them.
Where should we celebrate them? Should we keep them at home or in some
kind of religious service? What should we do on these days? Does God
mind if we do our normal work on these days, or should we reserve them
for other purposes? How will the observance of these days affect our
families and jobs?
These are all important questions we must consider upon learning about
God's festivals. Let's examine some biblical principles we should consider
in dealing with these real-life issues.
Some of these festivals have designated methods of observance that
set them apart from the others. For example, only the Passover involves
partaking of bread and wine as symbols of Christ's death. The Days of
Unleavened Bread are the only feast days during which God tells us to
remove leaven from our homes. The Day of Atonement also stands alone
as the one Holy Day observed by fasting. Proper observance of these
days includes acknowledging their distinctions, which are designed to
teach us spiritual lessons.
Taken as a whole, however, there are principles applicable to observing
all of God's Holy Days. First, we must remember that these days are
holy to God. They are "the feasts of the LORD, which you shall
proclaim to be holy convocations," says God (Leviticus 23:2).
God is the only one who can make anything holy. God places these days
on a plane higher than all humanly devised celebrations. Men and women
can dedicate time to God for a special purpose, but God alone can set
time aside as holy (Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:8,11). When we exercise
proper respect and appreciation for these special annual occasions,
we also honor God Himself by acknowledging His authority over our lives.
Understanding this principle is important to worshiping God properly.
