Long before Christians spoke of Pentecost , the people of Israel were already gathering for Shavuot —a feast celebrating the wheat harvest, covenant memory, and joyful pilgrimage. Yet within the shared soil of this ancient festival, Shavuot became the stage on which the earliest followers of Jesus experienced what they came to call Pentecost. One feast, two traditions, and a story that unfolds across centuries. Shavuot: A Feast of Firstfruits and First Words In the Hebrew Scr

We decided to use the theme of light dispelling darkness this year for our Hanukkah card. There has been so much darkness over the last few years, we are longing to see the light of Jesus breaking through the darkness, bringing a peace beyond what the world can understand. He is the only true hope for peace for all peoples in the Middle East and beyond. The Feast of Hanukkah, which derives from the Hebrew word ‘to dedicate’, celebrates the historical event which took place in

In ancient times, the three pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles were filled with anticipation and excitement. Whole communities made the long journey on foot to Jerusalem - to the place of the Lord’s presence - laden with gifts and singing hymns of praise. These Feasts of the Lord: also known as Unleavened Bread (Passover); Weeks (Shavu’ot/Pentecost) and Sukkot (Tabernacles) were designated by God in the Torah given to Moses at Mount Sinai. All of thes

The Autumn Feasts (Leviticus 23) The Autumn Feasts of the Lord are: Trumpets (Yom HaTruah aka Rosh HaShannah), Day of Atonement (Yom...

In its original context, each Feast had regulations and commands, do’s and don’ts that formed part of the Old Testament law. Some of...

Have you ever received an invitation for an appointment with royalty? I’m guessing that for the majority of people reading this, the...

The celebration of Purim took place in March - commemorating a time when the attempted annihilation of the Jewish people was thwarted by the actions and faith of a young woman called Esther. In Israel, it’s a time when synagogues up and down the country read the story, reminding the people of God’s mighty hand and saving power and encouragement to keep believing the promises He has given them over the centuries. Traditionally the story will be re-enacted, often with pantomime

The season of Hanukkah is upon us this month, celebrated by the lighting of candles, a beautiful picture of light breaking through the darkness, and as followers of Yeshua, a precious reminder of His own declaration, “I am the Light of the world!” In Israel, both Jewish and Arab Believers will be sharing an expression of His light this month, as Hanukkiah are lit in Messianic homes and Arab Christians welcome the Christmas season to celebrate the coming of the Saviour of the

Hanukkah is an 8 day celebration, this year starting on the evening of 7th December, and concluding on the 15th. There are several miracles remembered: The miracle of a small band of Jewish men defeating an imperial army; the miracle of courage, of those who dared to stand for their beliefs against the flow of society; the miracle of a little cruse of oil burning for eight days, when it should have lasted for only one. Jewish people around the world will light candles on th

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) remembers God’s goodness to the fledgling nation of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness for 40 years to the promised land. Without a permanent home, they depended on God to provide for all their needs. Sukkot is a Hebrew word meaning huts or temporary shelters. During this Feast, households construct a Sukkah outside with palm branches for the roof and spend as much time as possible in it, eating meals and inviting friends and family

The celebration of the Feast of Shavuot, or Pentecost in the Greek, often happens around the end of May or early June. Its original significance is focused on the Barley Harvest, bringing the first fruit of the land to the Lord as an offering, a time of giving thanks for God’s provision, and the opportunity to pilgrimage to Jerusalem. There is the sense of marking time within its name: ‘7 weeks’ or ‘50 days’ from Pesach/Passover, and it also carries the weight of God’s covena