During Jesus’ ministry, He must have performed some notable event every single day. Which day of the year is most important?
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Today is the most important day and when tomorrow arrives it will be the most important day. We should live in the now and not worry about or be moved by the past or future. However we should also let Love guide us in respect to holidays set apart by various cultures as they attempt to be in unity for one day. For example, which Feast day is the most important?
Rosh Hashana: 2 days The Jewish New Year
Yom Kippur: 1 day – Day of Atonement
Sukkot: 7 days – Feast of Tabernacles
Shmini Atzeret: 1 day – Eighth Day of Assembly
Simchat Torah: 1 day – Day of Celebrating the Torah
Chanukah: 8 days – The Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the Festival of Lights
Purim: 1 day – Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar
Pesach: 8 days – Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread
Shavuot: 2 days – Festival of Weeks, commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai
Tish’a B’Av: 1 day – The Ninth of Av, fast commemorating the destruction of the two Temples
There are roughly 32 days in the above major Feast days to commemorate something notable FATHER did or caused which are all acknowledged by the Jewish community. The Christian community has its days of observation as well. If we tried, we could find something every single day to commemorate and thus we could proclaim it a holiday and do nothing 365 days each year. Jesus made it clear that we are not to be restricted by any tradition:
Matthew 12:9 Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue.
10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.
11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?
12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.
Let’s look at Christmas. It is considered that Jesus was actually born in the fall of the year according to the fall feast days. I have no issue with that and have heard the facts, reasoning, and conclusions drawn from Scripture. Further, if you back up to the standard gestation period for a baby in a womb, you would arrive at the night of December 24th into the morning of December 25th. Stephen Jones does an excellent job of explaining this. See: http://www.gods-kingdom-ministries.net/teachings/books/dr-luke-healing-the-breaches-book-1/chapter-5-marys-visitation/
We should take the opportunity to honor Jesus when the rest of the world is at least attempting to come into unity on one day of the year. This day is often accompanied by a cease-fire in war zones. Love does not offend the little children and thus let us spread the Gospel in the Christmas season when we have a captive audience. Let us give our Love to those who are less fortunate. Let us join in and celebrate the one day people can be in unity concerning our elder Brother. Let us not cause division by looking at the negatives of the season but instead consider the opportunity to expand unity concerning Our Redeemer.
Men can pervert virtually any physical representation used during Christmas. Let us not isolate ourselves by fearing or judging some tradition established by society. Jesus was not moved by the traditions of the Pharisees and continued ministering life to mankind rather than focusing on what was wrong with the current leadership and its traditions. Embrace each day as an opportunity to draw men unto Christ.