Gordon Mackley, Licensed Lay Minister and member of Maidstone Interfaith Group

 

FEASTS AND CELEBRATIONS

It’s the seventh month, let’s celebrate the New Year! You will probably now be thinking that I have finally lost all my marbles, as September is the ninth month in our calendar and New Year, of course starts on the first of January, so, let me explain.

 

The Roman calendar we use, originally started at the beginning of March but for various administrative reasons, the Romans found it more practical to start in January. Thus September (seven in Latin) became the ninth month etc. New Years vary across diverse cultures and religions but in Judaism the start of the New Year was moved from Spring to September. This is an important feast called Rosh Hashanah (the head of the year), although the previous date and feast are still celebrated as well!

 

I have been reflecting that in our ‘multicultural, multifaith society’ we Christians seem to be losing out. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, followers of Judaism  Bahai etc, all celebrate various feasts to a greater or lesser extent and even those who do not follow such faiths often know about them. Our religious and cultural heritage from the Old Testament seems to have been at least partially lost. We commemorate Easter (successor to Passover); and Pentecost (successor to Shavuot). We also celebrate ‘Christmas.’ which is actually not Biblically ordained with 25th. December being the decision of the Roman Emperor Constantine.

 

Leviticus 23 gives the list of Biblical feasts and festivals. You can find lots of great food ideas for the various feasts, so there is the opportunity for many parties and much enjoyment to be had. So, as we go towards Rosh Hashanah and the Feast of Tabernacles, in autumn and then on to the Festival of Lights (Hannukah) in December, why not  do some celebrating of part of our Christian Biblical heritage?

 

John1:10-14  (Youngs Literal Translation from the Greek)

10 in the world he was, and the world through him was made, and the world did not know him: 11 to his own things he came, and his own people did not receive him; 12 but as many as did receive him to them he gave authority to become sons of God -- to those believing in his name, 13 who -- not of blood nor of a will of flesh, nor of a will of man but -- of God were begotten. 14 And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth

 

​