Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5338 holiday

A day or period of time during which regular work is suspended. In Israel, the Sabbath provided a weekly break from everyday labour, giving opportunity for rest and religious assembly, and was the pattern for set days of rest and annual festivals. The NT records events in the life of Jesus Christ which are marked by Christian holidays.

The Sabbath day

Genesis 2:2-3 See also Exodus 31:13-17 Their observance of the Sabbath marked Israel out as the distinctive people of God; Jeremiah 17:24; Mark 2:27; Hebrews 4:4

The purpose of holidays

For rest and refreshment

Exodus 23:12 The Sabbath provided a rest period each week. See also Exodus 20:8-11 pp Deuteronomy 5:12-14; Exodus 34:21

To restore society

Leviticus 25:2-5 The sabbath year allowed the land to be rested; Leviticus 25:10 The restoration of family property in the Year of Jubilee; Deuteronomy 15:12 The sabbath year marked the release of Hebrew slaves.

To assemble for worship

Leviticus 23:3 Release from the ties of everyday labour gives opportunity for the people of God to meet together in worship ; Numbers 29:12 See also Leviticus 23:27 pp Numbers 29:7; Deuteronomy 16:8; Isaiah 1:13

Psalm 42:4 See also Psalm 68:24-27; Psalm 118:27

To recall God's deliverance

Deuteronomy 5:15 See also Deuteronomy 16:3,12; Hebrews 4:11

Israel's seven annual holidays

Exodus 12:16 pp Leviticus 23:7-8 the first and seventh days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread; Leviticus 23:21 pp Numbers 28:26 the day of firstfruits (Pentecost); Leviticus 23:24-25 pp Numbers 29:1 the Feast of Trumpets; Leviticus 23:28-32 pp Leviticus 16:29-31 the Day of Atonement; Leviticus 23:34-36 the first and eighth days of the Feast of Tabernacles

Christian holidays linked with the life of Jesus Christ

The Lord's Day

Acts 20:7 See also Mark 16:9 The church meets together on the first day of the week: the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10

Christmas Day

Luke 2:7 See also John 1:14

Epiphany

Matthew 2:1-2,9-11

Lent

Matthew 4:1-2 pp Mark 1:12-13 pp Luke 4:1-2

Good Friday

Matthew 27:45-50 pp Mark 15:33-37 pp Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-30

Easter Sunday

Mark 16:5-6 pp Matthew 28:5-6 pp Luke 24:4-6

Ascension Day

See also Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9

Pentecost (Whit Sunday)

Acts 2:1-4

See also

1325  God, the Creator
5056  rest
5213  assembly
5312  feasting
5385  leisure
5628  work
7354  feasts and festivals
7428  Sabbath
7482  Year of Jubilee
8642  celebration
8670  remembering