A Little About Purim

Purim is from sundown on February 27th until March 1st this year (it is based on the Jewish calendar). But what is Purim you wonder? I have often heard it referred to as Jewish Halloween but there is more to it than that. It is the celebration of Esther and God’s saving of the Jewish people! We are to remember this every year (Esther 9:28):

These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants.

It is a celebration. So in my house we might let the kids dress up, make noise makers and crowns. I will (probably) make Hamantaschen. The big feature is the telling of the Esther story. The children (and adults) boo whenever Haman is mentioned and cheer at the mention of Mordechai. We might also print off pictures and do some other fun stuff (go to my Frugal Homeschooler for activities and resources).

As Christians why do we celebrate Purim? Well, I could get into the whole Jesus celebrated Judaism and so we should also keep the holidays (with grace because we aren’t under the law). Or how when we excepted Christ we were grafted into the family of Abraham. But…. Here is a simpler reason. God was faithful in saving the Jews and because of that we have Messiah. So we need to celebrate God’s faithfulness to us by saving the Jews from Haman’s hand.
There are lots of lessons in the book Esther (like if Saul would have been obedient…) but that is for a different day. Let us start by rejoicing in God’s faithfulness! And the fact He uses a willing and obedient heart to do great things, like save a people.

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