Lessons Learned from the Purim Festival

Verses:  Esther   9 : 18 - 10 : 3

My thoughts about the verses:

After the community was saved a feast was established.  A time to celebrate the fact that the Jewish communities time of sadness was turned into a time of happiness.  This was written so that every Jew would know that this was a feast that needed to be celebrated every year to commemorate the act of salvation that came through the sacrifices of Esther and Mordecai.  You have to understand that God was working through this the whole time.  Yet, if they had not walked in faith they would never had achieved the outcome that God desired.

I really feel that even though this holiday is commemorated by the Jewish community it is something that we as Christians can also commemorate.  Think about this a second if the will of Haman had occurred then Jesus would not have been born.  God would have fulfilled the salvation plan in a different way without Esther and Mordecai.  But there is an important lesson that we can learn and that is God uses regular people to further the Heavenly Realm.  They were no one special until God's plan went into place.  Then through the action of putting the right person in the right place at the right time God was able to prove his ultimate power.

So you may be asking how we as Christians can commemorate this very important festival.  I suggest that we follow the same guidelines that were issued right after the even.  This is a very joyous holiday.  I debated on when to do the book of Esther because the Holiday does not fall until March 15 and 16th of 2014.  Yet, I decided if people knew about the tradition when the Holiday falls in March more Christians can participate.  The actual dates change year by year but you can look it up on the Internet to find the exact dates.

So how to hold a Purim festival:

• First you will need to read the whole book of Esther out loud.  (There are smaller versions that you can use and can find them online. The smaller stories are a good idea if the Purim recognitions are going to be part of you regular service.)
• Each time the name of Haman is read children make noise with noisemakers and the adults stomp their feet.  (This is a way to get rid of the evil that happened during this time.)
• Give money to at least two people who are less fortunate than you are. (This shows the unity of the community)
• Send a gift of food or beverage to an acquaintance.  (This is a way of showing friendship to fellow believers.)
• Prepare a meal to share with your friends and family.  (Remember the feast is very vital because it shows how the sadness turned to happiness.)
• Many people wear costumes.  There are costumes  for both children and adults.   (This is a fun thing that is encouraged people choose to dress as Mordecai and Esther.  This shows that average people can make a difference if they follow God.)

You may ask how I can do this during a Christian service.  Several years ago I had my first Purim festival at Faith Metropolitan Community Church.  We did simple things ahead of time first we made noise makers for those that wanted them and brought them the day of the service.  I found a shortened version of the story so that the whole book would not be needed to be read.  We used the reading instead of scripture readings then I had a message about what it would be like if we did what God asked from us.  We actually collected a love offering that was sent to an orphanage.  We also asked everyone to bring food for the big potluck lunch after the service.

It is important to not do it in mockery this is a very important festival.  So we as Christians can learn that we can celebrate the story of an average man and woman becoming extraordinary. The lesson we can learn is that we need to do what God asks us to do.  This is a great way to start a stewardship program.  It can also be used to connect with a smaller church or help with another group.  The lessons that exist for the Jewish community are things that we as Christians also need to be reminded to do. 

Prayer:

Dear God thank you for showing us that your use ordinary people to do extraordinary things.  Dear God we thank you for showing that no matter what your plan will come out the way it needs it to come out.  Help us remember to be there when you call us to service.  Dear God thank you for the multiple blessings that you give us each day.  Dear God we offer ourselves to you. We ask that you use us to grow the Heavenly Realm.  In God's Holy Name we Pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you allowed God to use you?  Will you celebrate Purim in the future?  Have you learned that the traditions that happened in the Jewish Scriptures are something that we can all celebrate?  Have you done something special for a person less fortunate than yourself?  Have you just given a gift to an acquaintance to brighten their day?  Think of all the lessons and hopefully you will join me in March as I celebrate Purim.