The observance of holy times is a significant aspect of biblical teaching, reflecting the rhythm of worship and remembrance instituted by God for His people. These times are marked by specific days, seasons, and festivals that hold spiritual significance and are intended to draw believers closer to God through reflection, worship, and community.

Sabbath

The Sabbath is the foundational holy time established by God, rooted in the creation narrative. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, as commanded in the Ten Commandments: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8).

Feasts and Festivals

The Mosaic Law outlines several feasts and festivals that the Israelites were to observe. These include:

1. Passover (Pesach): Commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, Passover is a time of remembrance and thanksgiving. Exodus 12:14 instructs, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come."

2. Feast of Unleavened Bread: Following Passover, this seven-day feast symbolizes the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt and the removal of sin, as leaven often represents sin in Scripture (Exodus 12:15-20).

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

4. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah): A day of rest and trumpet blasts, signaling the beginning of the civil new year and a call to repentance (Leviticus 23:23-25).

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

6. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): A week-long celebration of God's provision during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, marked by living in temporary shelters (Leviticus 23:33-43).

New Testament Observance

In the New Testament, the observance of holy times takes on new dimensions with the coming of Christ. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the Law and the festivals. For instance, the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:16-17 , "Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ."

The early church observed the Lord's Day, the first day of the week, in commemoration of Christ's resurrection (Acts 20:7). This day became a central time for Christian worship and gathering.

Significance and Practice

The observance of holy times serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, provision, and redemptive work throughout history. It provides structure for worship and community life, encouraging believers to pause, reflect, and realign their lives with God's purposes. While the specific observance of these times may vary among Christian traditions, the underlying principles of rest, remembrance, and worship remain central to the faith.