Sukkot a.k.a: the "Feast of Booths," "Feast of Tabernacles," or "Feast of the Ingathering" is a Jewish holiday that begins at sunset Monday night. An agricultural festival to thank God for a successful harvest, it is also one of the 3 great pilgrimage festivals, to remind Jews of the 40 years God provided for them in the wilderness. Sukkot is a joyous 7-8 day celebration.

So why should a Christian celebrate the feast of Tabernacles? Well for starters it is one of the 7 festivals/holidays commanded by God in Leviticus 23 it is NOT man made. It is one of the 3 main pilgrimage feasts where everybody went to Jerusalem to celebrate. It is a God ordained festival where we are to remember His provision for us. Jesus celebrated these feasts. At Sukkot, Jesus chose to reveal himself as the source of Living Water for those who believe in him! Also during Sukkot, there was a parade through the streets and around the Temple, shouting “Hosannah” or “Please save us”. Sound familiar? A prelude to Palm Sunday! So after church today, if you are going to celebrate Sukkot you need to prepare:

Build a Sukkah at Home

Make a booth/hut, it has to be able to stand up to the wind. The roof is traditionally made from tree branches. So that you can look up at the stars through it. But given the vagaries of NZ weather - ours might, need to be a little studier and weatherproof. Decorate the inside with drawings, religious symbols, Christmas decorations like tinsel hanging from the ceiling, hangings including fake fruit and tree branches, would be particularly appropriate. In Leviticus, Jews are instructed to dwell in this for the 7 days of the holiday. Today most just center family gatherings and meals inside it, but devout Jews sleep in it. So put up a tent line the inside with tree branches and tinsel - "Hey kids, we're going camping in the backyard!"

Gather the 4 kinds

During the holiday a special collection of branches, and a fruit is waved, you need to collect these (or nearest substitutes): 1 palm leaf, 2 willow branches, 3 myrtle branches, held together in a bouquet by woven leaves (called a lulav). You also need a fruit, the Jews use an etrog (citron), one of the 3 original fruits of which all citrus fruits are a descendent. But the Bible says any fruit of a majestic tree is acceptable, we don't need to be kosher. The Etrog represents the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden (see it wasn't an apple). That said you could probaby use any citrus fruit (Orange, lemon) or an Apple (God has a sense of humour), just make sure they have no defects and kept them in the fridge between uses, (They are not eaten but waved before the Lord but you want them to last the week).

The first 2 days are Sabbaths, and Jews avoid work as a show of reverence to God. So pray and celebrate with your family. On the first 2 days (the first of which starts tomorrow night) special prayers are said and the Hallel is recited (Psalm 113-118).