Should a Christian celebrate holidays?
The Bible nowhere instructs Christians to celebrate holidays. Days such as Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., are not mentioned in Scripture. The Bible does not even mandate Christmas or Easter observances. The lack of any biblical command or precedent regarding the celebration of modern holidays has led some…
Should Christians celebrate Christmas?
The debate about whether Christians should celebrate Christmas has been ongoing for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to…
Should Christians celebrate Easter?
Though perhaps the day with the highest church attendance, Easter Sunday can be a source of contention among Christians. Some Christians view Easter as having pagan origins or being so commercialized that it is wrong to participate. Others simply view Easter as a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, perhaps the best and most important celebration of…
What is the origin of Valentine’s Day, and should Christians celebrate it?
The first Valentine was posted around 1806. Almost one billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year on or near February 14 with females purchasing 85% of the cards. This is second only to the number of Christmas cards sent. The history is somewhat murky as to how Valentine’s Day has come to be what…
What is Juneteenth? How should a Christian celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is an American holiday commemorating the end of slavery in Texas. It is observed on June 19 (Juneteenth is a shortened form of June nineteenth) or on the Monday following that date, if Juneteenth falls on a weekend. Juneteenth also goes by the names Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day. The history…
What are holy days?
In the Bible, the word holy means “set apart.” God is holy. Christians are called to be holy. A holy day, then, is a day that is set apart to focus on the things of the Lord. There are holy days mentioned in the Bible, and, over the centuries, Christian churches have instituted other holy…
What is an advent calendar?
The word ‘Advent’ has a Latin origin meaning ‘the coming,’ or more accurately, ‘coming toward.’ For Christian believers, Christmas is one of the greatest events in the yearly cycle, being the celebration of the greatest gift ever given by God to mankind. That gift was Jesus, the Son of God Himself, born into this world…
What is Tenebrae?
The word Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness.” It can also be translated as “night” or “death.” The Tenebrae service is an ancient tradition in Christian history that took place on one of the last three days of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday. The purpose of this service was to…
What is Passion Week / Holy Week?
Passion Week (also known as Holy Week) is the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). Also included within Passion Week are Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Passion Week is so named because of the passion with which Jesus willingly went to the cross in…
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Although far less widely known than Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, the Tuesday immediately before Ash Wednesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is sometimes referred to as “Shrovetide” in England. Observance of Shrove Tuesday can be traced back to at least AD 1000 and was originally observed as…