Wednesday Giveaway - Jesus and the Jewish Festivals

In almost every culture, holidays and festivals play an
important role in shaping people’s lives. They give structure to the year,
remind us of important events in our shared history, and tell a story about the
sort of people we are meant to be.

However, since those holidays are so much a “given” we tend
not to explain them very often. 

If I tell as story and begin by saying “We got up and looked
under the tree, and you’ll never guess what was there.” this makes perfect
sense to someone who has also experienced Christmas in our contemporary
culture. But without that shared cultural heritage you would presumably be
quite confused as to why I was getting up early to look at some tree, and why I
would think there would be anything under it, not to mention that you would be
unlikely to assume this tree was indoors.

It is much the same when it comes to studying the life of
Christ. 

Second Temple Judaism was shaped by their calendar, by the
story told in the cycles of feasts and festivals. These stories were filled
with theological and political importance, but we easily miss their importance
in the text.

That’s where this week’s giveaway, Jesus and the Jewish Festivals,
comes in. In this latest addition to the Ancient Context, Ancient Faith series,
Dr. Burge explores six different Jewish festivals as they were celebrated in
the first century, and examines how Jesus used the imagery of the festivals to
unveil his own mission.

From Sabbath and Passover, to Tabernacles and Hanukkah,
Burge explains the festivals as Jesus knew them, and shows how understanding
these festivals can shed light on many passages in the Gospels.

To enter the giveaway, comment below with your answer to
this question: Which of your holiday traditions do you think would be particularly
confusing to someone encountering them for the first time? (For example: Hanging socks above
a fireplace? Really?)

Also, a bonus entry is available if you
comment a second time letting us know that you shared a link to this giveaway
on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog.

_________________          

*If you are reading this via Facebook, email, or RSS,
please visit the blog to enter. Two winners will be determined by Random
Integer Generator. Giveaway ends Thursday at midnight*