In the last few weeks I have presented a detailed article regarding the True Birthday of Yahooshua {Jesus} on the First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles, see https://www.eti-ministries.org/true-birthday-of-yahooshua I have also presented a collection of a series of articles relating to the Evils of Christmas, see https://www.eti-ministries.org/evil-of-christmas
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The bottom line is that Father Yah, the Almighty Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, requires His followers to TOTALLY ESCHEW CHRISTMAS and refrain from any form of observation, celebration, gift giving, feasting, etc. The only valid response for a true Believer to Christmas is to fast and / or carry on secular activities as you would on any other working day of the year. If Christmas is on a Saturday, simply conduct your Sabbath as you would any other Saturday Sabbath with NO special conduct other than possibly fasting.
This year I have been contacted by several people who follow my teachings asking how they should respond to Christmas in the context of their children do not understand why there is no tree and no gifts and no feast and that this is causing serious problems. I have also been asked how to respond when people give gifts, etc.
This article seeks to respond to these questions based on the feedback that I gave in response to the above questions. The following are suggested measures you can take:
- Article re Yahooshua and the Feast of Tabernacles
Read the article on Yahooshua and the Feast of Tabernacles at https://www.eti-ministries.org/yahooshua-and-feast-of-tabernacles and take note of the celebrations and rituals that took place in those days and adapt these for your use.You can also search on-line for articles on the Feast of Tabernacles from Jewish and Messianic sources and adapt as seems appropriate.Do NOT turn this time of joyous celebration into some sort of legalistic event.
- Inform your family and friends
Starting now, commence to inform your immediate family and friends of your decision to observe the Feast of Tabernacles as Yahooshua’s birthday and ALSO Yah’s great feast of the year and involve them in planning what you will do at Tabernacles so that it becomes an event that is at least as special as Christmas was historically.Note that observance of Yahooshua’s birthday is only one limited component of Tabernacles – do NOT bring Christian worship of Jesus into the First Day of Tabernacles.
- Plan a major event over Tabernacles
Plan a major event, at LEAST as big as you have historically observed for Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving combined spread over the eight days of the Feast.Involve your whole family in planning and brainstorming ideas.Note that Tabernacles IS a Harvest Festival in the Northern Hemisphere and therefore effectively covers Thanksgiving in large measure although I am NOT aware of any reason not to observe Thanksgiving in the USA as well as Tabernacles.
- Book leave from work
If appropriate book annual leave from work over the full eight days of Tabernacles as soon as you have the final dates for Tabernacles.These dates are generally available early in the New Year – the actual date floats between September and October, I ignore the issue of the ripening of the Barley at Aviv which is the start of Yah’s calendar and simply work on the Astronomical first date for Aviv.My preferred calendar for the dates of Yah’s Set-Apart High Sabbaths is from https://www.qodesh.co.za/
Note that it is NOT essential to take leave for the eight days, only the First and Eighth days are High Sabbaths when you should take leave from work.I only suggest the full week because most people take at least a week off work on Christmas and our goal is to attach comparable honour to Tabernacles.
- Budget appropriately
Set aside budget of the sort of finances you would traditionally budget for Christmas to spend at this time.This is NOT essential, you do NOT want to get into a bidding war with Christmas but I believe that it IS important that your children and family should have something to look forward to that is just as special to them as Christmas is to those who observe Christmas.And something to talk about at School, etc.Yah does NOT expect His Feast to be a poor relative to Satan’s feast!
- Plan a Sukkah (Booth)
I recommend that you build some sort of Sukkah or Booth for Tabernacles.If you search on the Internet you will find plenty of material from both Jewish and Messianic groups.I would NOT go to excessive lengths but would suggest that at the very least you could erect a basic Sukkah with Palm Fronds, Willow Boughs, etc instead of a Christmas tree.Do NOT use pine in any shape or form.Religious Jews will tell you that you need to build the Sukkah outside and dwell in it for the week.I have never done this but leave it up to you.If you have a suitable location, and weather, could be fun for the children.
- Read the Article re Evils of Christmas and AVOID those traps
Important to read the articles on the Evils of Christmas cited above in order to make sure that you do NOT inadvertently bring these evil traditions across with you.Especially no tree and none of the traditional baubles, etc.Do NOT export Christmas to the time of Tabernacles, that is NOT the goal.Ask Father for Wisdom and use your discretion.
- Re Receiving Gifts
I have also been asked what to do with regard to gifts being given at Christmas by friends and family.To me this is an extension of the points above, start well ahead of time and let all those people know that you will NOT be observing Christmas and that you would like to exchange gifts at Tabernacles.If notwithstanding this someone gives a gift at Christmas, receive graciously and explain that you will reciprocate at Tabernacles.You might like to produce a card that explains your decision to observe Tabernacles and use this as an opportunity to share your Belief.
And then, ENJOY 😊
May Yah bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you His peace.
May Yah judge me severely and correct me harshly with regard to any sin or error in my life or in this message.
Dr James A Robertson
Spokesman and Emissary of Yah
End Time Issue Ministries
25 December 2021