In the biblical context, celebrations are significant events that often mark religious observances, commemorate historical events, or express communal joy and gratitude. These celebrations are deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, serving as reminders of His faithfulness, provision, and deliverance.

Old Testament Celebrations

1. Sabbath (Shabbat): The Sabbath is a weekly day of rest and worship, instituted by God at creation (Genesis 2:2-3) and commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). It serves as a celebration of God's creation and a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16-17).

2. Passover (Pesach): Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Instituted in Exodus 12, it involves the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread. "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD" (Exodus 12:14).

3. Feast of Unleavened Bread: Following Passover, this seven-day feast involves eating unleavened bread, symbolizing the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt (Exodus 12:15-20).

4. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost): Celebrated seven weeks after Passover, this feast marks the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law at Sinai (Leviticus 23:15-21).

5. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah): A day of rest and trumpet blasts, marking the beginning of the civil year and calling the people to repentance (Leviticus 23:23-25).

6. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): A solemn day of fasting and repentance, seeking atonement for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16:29-34).

7. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): A week-long celebration of the harvest and remembrance of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, living in temporary shelters (Leviticus 23:33-43).

8. Purim: Instituted in the Book of Esther, Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to annihilate them (Esther 9:20-32).

9. Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication): Though not mentioned in the Old Testament, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple following the Maccabean Revolt. It is referenced in the New Testament (John 10:22).

New Testament Celebrations

1. The Lord's Supper (Communion): Instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper, this celebration commemorates His sacrificial death and the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:19-20). "Do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24).

2. Baptism: A celebration of new life in Christ, symbolizing the believer's identification with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).

3. Pentecost: Celebrated by the early church as the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, marking the birth of the Church (Acts 2:1-4).

General Observations

Biblical celebrations often involve specific rituals, sacrifices, and communal gatherings. They serve as opportunities for teaching, remembrance, and renewal of faith. The cyclical nature of these celebrations reinforces the rhythm of life centered around God's redemptive acts and His ongoing relationship with His people. Celebrations in the Bible are not merely social events but are deeply spiritual, intended to draw the community closer to God and to one another.

From the Latin Translation of Cassiodorus.
... blood," he says, [3723] "as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." Here he
touches on the ancient Levitical and sacerdotal celebrations; but means a soul ...
/.../who is the rich man that shall be saved/i from the latin translation of.htm

Table of Contents
... STAR-WORSHIPPERS. 77 2.15 A PARALLEL VISION OF CHILD SACRIFICE. 79 2.16
HISTORY OF THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE CONCEPTION OF MARY. 80 3 ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/table of contents.htm

Conversations.
... Each reader will judge for himself whether such a narrative, written for the
entertainment of vast assemblies at public games and celebrations, is most ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xi conversations.htm

The Second Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... It is our duty to present to God, like sacrifices, all the festivals and hymnal
celebrations; and first of all, the annunciation to the holy mother of God, to ...
/.../the second homily on the.htm

Epistle Lii. To Fortunatus and his Other Colleagues, Concerning ...
... and so great a subject claims greater and more careful counsel from the conference
of many; and as now almost all, during the first celebrations of Easter, are ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lii to fortunatus and.htm

A Loyal Tribute
... than our State permits, still we may venture to take them as the starting-point
for two or three considerations suggested to us, by the celebrations of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a loyal tribute.htm

A Statement in Opposition to those who Make the Complaint that the ...
... If the gods of the Gentile nations are offended because the supplies are lessened
which are instituted for the purpose of such celebrations, it is apparent of ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxxiii a statement in opposition.htm

Psalm LXX.
... men wearing on their brow the sign of Him, at the same time on that same brow wearing
the shamelessness of wantonness, and on the days and celebrations of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxx.htm

On the Fast of the Seventh Month, iii .
... to the Divine decrees always brings a special blessing, whatever may be the extent
of our voluntary services, so that publicly proclaimed celebrations are of a ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxxviii on the fast.htm

Festal.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, LIV. Festal. By our divine and saving celebrations
both the down-hearted are cheered, and the joyous made yet more joyful. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/liv festal.htm

Celebrations (1 Occurrence)
...Celebrations (1 Occurrence). Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her celebrations to
cease: her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies. ...
/c/celebrations.htm - 6k

Mystery (31 Occurrences)
... But it is frequently found in the plural ta musteria, "the Mysteries," the technical
term for the secret rites and celebrations in ancient religions only known ...
/m/mystery.htm - 42k

Passover (81 Occurrences)
... 2. Pecach mitsrayim 3. Pecach doroth 4. Matstsoth 5. The `Omer 6. Non-traditional
Theories 7. The Higher Criticism 8. Historical Celebrations: Old Testament ...
/p/passover.htm - 58k

Celebration (8 Occurrences)

/c/celebration.htm - 9k

Celestial (3 Occurrences)

/c/celestial.htm - 8k

Yearly (16 Occurrences)
... Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her celebrations to cease: her feasts, her new
moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies. Zephaniah (See NIV). ...
/y/yearly.htm - 11k

Gaiety (4 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her celebrations to cease: her feasts,
her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies. ...
/g/gaiety.htm - 7k

Birthday (4 Occurrences)
... 3) Genesia, which in Attic Greek means the commemoration of the dead, in later Greek
is interchangeable with genethlia = "birthday celebrations"; and there is ...
/b/birthday.htm - 11k

Moons (17 Occurrences)
... Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her celebrations to cease: her feasts,
her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies. ...
/m/moons.htm - 12k

Assemblies (48 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her celebrations to cease: her feasts,
her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies. ...
/a/assemblies.htm - 22k

What is Yule, and what does it have to do with Christmas? | GotQuestions.org

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Celebrations: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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