Should Christians celebrate Jewish holidays?

Fall Religions & Cults Judaism

TL;DR:

Jewish holidays can point Christians back to God’s faithfulness and ultimately to Christ, but Christians aren’t required to celebrate them. If you choose to celebrate, keep Christ at the center and give others freedom to follow their conscience.

what does the bible say?

The Old Testament contains details of many holidays that God told His people to observe, including ones like Passover and Yom Kippur. Christians today are under no obligation to observe any Jewish holiday. Neither are they restricted from celebrating a Jewish holiday, as long as they understand that they are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by works or rituals (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Old Testament describes how God instituted the Passover (Exodus 6:6, Exodus 12), requiring lamb's blood to save the Israelites' firstborn from the angel of death. This pointed to Christ, the ultimate sacrificial Lamb through whom forgiveness of sins comes for those who place their faith in Him (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). God also instituted the Day of Atonement for His people in the Old Testament (Leviticus 16, 23:26–32). Christians who choose to celebrate Yom Kippur today should be sure not to treat their observance as somehow atoning for their sins; Christ alone has atoned for the sins of those who accept Him as Lord and Savior (Hebrews 10:1-13). Some Jews who have turned to Christ may decide to celebrate Jewish holidays as a matter of history and culture, but no believer should judge another for doing so (Colossians 2:16–17).

from the old testament

Christians today can celebrate Passover for its historical significance and for the way it points to Jesus. God instituted Passover when He freed His people from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12). The holiday celebrates God as Israel's Deliverer (Exodus 6:6). Christians who observe Passover today can do so with the understanding that the lamb's blood God told Israel to put on their lintels points to Christ (Exodus 12:21-30).
Another significant holiday that Jews today observe is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), described in Leviticus 16 and 23:26–32. Christ eliminated the need for Yom Kippur, as His sacrifice for the sins of those who place their faith in Him is wholly sufficient.
The Jewish holiday Purim is still celebrated and is based on the book of Esther (Esther 9:20-28). As with the other Jewish holidays, believers are not required to celebrate it, but may do so if they choose.

from the new testament

The Mosaic Law, including observance of the holidays it instituted, is no longer required for believers. Paul wrote, "Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7).
John the Baptist recognized Jesus as "the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), a reminder that the lamb's blood of Passover was a shadow of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
Some who are culturally Jewish may choose to celebrate certain holidays, such as Passover, as a matter of conscience (Romans 14:5; Colossians 2:16–17). This is fine as long as they realize that observing religious holidays and rites does not save; only Christ saves (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Celebrating the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) can be problematic if those who observe it do so because they believe it atones for their sins. Christ's death on the cross covered the sins of those who place their faith in Him (Hebrews 10:11-13). Yom Kippur might be celebrated as a reminder of sin but never as an atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:1-4).
John 10:22-23 records Jesus' presence at the Feast of Dedication, another name for what is now called Hanukkah. The holiday was not part of Mosaic Law and is based on 1 Maccabees 4:36–59 and 2 Maccabees 10:1–8, which are not part of the Protestant Bible canon. As with other Jewish holidays, Christians may choose to celebrate it if they wish.

implications for today

Feeding the homeless, visiting the bedbound, assisting at a blood bank—society views people who do these as open-hearted and generous. But what if you knew someone who did it for the photo ops, someone for whom every moment of charity was meant to get accolades from others?

In that case, the volunteer would be viewed as opportunistic rather than open-hearted. The why behind the what matters. This applies to celebrations as well. Many atheists celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday, not to honor Christ. And many Messianic Jews and others who accept Christ as Savior still celebrate Jewish holidays.

The why behind those celebrations is important. Are they celebrating to remember what God has done, or to maintain a mental/emotional connection to a shared heritage? Then, it's fine. If they're celebrating as a way to somehow pay for sins or earn points toward heaven, they've misunderstood the gospel.

At the center of every Christian's life—the holidays celebrated, the kindnesses done to others—should be this central truth: We are saved through faith in Christ, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

understand

Christians are under no obligation to celebrate any Jewish holiday, but doing so can be enriching.
If believers choose to celebrate Jewish holidays, they may do so as long as they understand that faith in Christ saves, not works.
On matters of conscience, believers should not judge others.

reflect

Of all the Jewish holidays that you're aware of, which would you consider celebrating and why?
For the religious holidays that you celebrate—Jewish or otherwise—how do you ensure Christ stays at the center?
What are some issues that are a matter of conscience, and how can you hold your convictions with grace toward others who see things differently?

engage

Why might some Christians want to celebrate Jewish holidays?
How might a church's participation in a Jewish holiday, such as Passover, be used as an opportunity for evangelism?
In matters that are open-handed, secondary issues, why is it important that we maintain unity while upholding convictions?

More Resources

Judaism

Why should a Jewish person consider becoming a Christian?

: Jews should consider becoming Christian because their own Hebrew Scriptures point to Jesus as the Messiah. Salvation will never come through the law or works but through faith in Christ.

Judaism

What is the Jewish calendar?

The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar system that syncs the day, month, and year by tracking the Earth, moon, and sun. Its structure governs holidays, sabbaths, and sacred observances, showing God’s precise design in creation.

Judaism

How is the meaning of each of the Jewish feasts fulfilled in Jesus?

: Seven feasts were part of Old Testament Mosaic Law, and those pointed to Jesus. The first four feasts connect to Jesus’ time on Earth while the last three link to His second coming.

Holidays

Should Christians celebrate holidays? Is it okay for a Christian to celebrate holidays?

Christians have freedom in Christ to decide whether or not to celebrate holidays, as the Bible neither commands nor forbids it. What matters most in celebrating holidays is that we honor God, avoid sin, and reflect faith that points others to Christ.