Written by ktmom15 on May 25, 2026

Pentecost, an Ancient Feast of the Lord

Yesterday, was Pentecost. I knew this was a special day as a child, that we, the church, remembered the tongues of fire coming down on the disciples heads. (Acts 2)

Our church would sometimes make mention of it, and maybe sing special songs, or the pastor might give a special sermon or reading of the passage in Acts 2. But that was pretty much all I knew about this special day.

It wasn’t until about 15 years ago, when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, that my children and I read about the Biblical feasts in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). Specifically, we read and learned about the feasts given to the children of God, Israel, in Leviticus chapter 23.

I had made a new friend online, and began learning from her blog posts, and school curriculum that many people Jews and Christians still celebrate and observe these Biblical feasts. My children and I began to “play” acting out the feasts as they were told in the Bible. We began researching and studying the Scriptures and traditions of these special days.

Pentecost, is called in the Old Testament, Shavuot. This is a Hebrew word that means weeks, or seven. Often being interpreted as seven weeks. Pentecost is a Greek word that means fifty. It is for the 50 days between the First Fruits offering at the time of Passover to the First Fruits offering of Shavuot. God tells His children to give a first fruits offering three times a year. One is the first Sabbath after Passover, the second, is the first day of the week, (Sunday on our modern calendar) after counting seven weeks from the first offering. This also adds up to 50 days.

So, for fun, many Jews and Christians literally count each day as a family from Passover to Shavuot. In our house we read a Scripture each day that reminds us of God being our Creator, Redeemer, and Teacher. In the Christian world, we often refer to these three entities of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (1 John 5)

This year, I gave my family a challenge to read, and copy by hand in cursive the book of 1 John between Passover and Shavuot/Pentecost. It was a perfect passage to copy and remember who we are in Christ, and what God has done, and promises to do for us.

Yesterday, we gathered together in our home and shared food and fellowship and rested in God’s promises.