– days set apart to focus on the things of the Lord
In the Bible, the word holy means “set apart.” God is Holy. Saints are called to be holy. A holy day, then, is a day that is set apart to focus on the things of the Lord.
Jesus asked the Israelites to celebrate seven holy days (or groups of days), also known as feasts or festivals. They are:
- Passover
- Unleavened Bread
- First Fruits
- Pentecost / Weeks
- Trumpets
- Day of Atonement
- Tabernacles / Booths
- (Purim and Hanukkah were added later by the people in remembrance of specific events)
They are not mandatory but can be observed as a remembrance of how Jesus is perfectly fulfilling them.
Over the centuries other holy days were created, the two most common are Christmas and Easter.
Ultimately every day should be a holy day. Every day of our lives should be set apart to worship God, obey His Word, and live a holy life.