The Nature of Shabbat - the Sabbath - Friday's sunset throught 45 minutes past sunset on Saturday. The Sabbath (or Shabbat, as it is called in Hebrew) is one of the best known and least understood of all JHebrew and Christian observances. People who do not understand Shabbat think of it as a day filled with stifling restrictions, or as a day of stillness, silence and prayer like some Baptist and Catholic religions hold to. But to those who observe God's Shabbat, it is a precious gift from God, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher, holy pursuits. For 6 days our God created and on the 7th day God rested. The word rested has gotten tangled with blessed. Yes Genesis tells us God rested but it says that God blessed the 7th day and made it holy. On Friday at sunset we enter into a Godly time of holiness and blessing. This day, if observed heartedly, will bring blessings and answered prayer. Everything you need to know about the Sabbath is right here. click me.
 In Hebrew literature, poetry and music, Shabbat is described as a bride or queen, as in the popular Shabbat hymn Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah (come, my beloved, to meet the Sabbath bride). Those that keep the Sabbath, the Sabbath shall keep them. The formal Shabbat starts at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday: when 3 stars are visable in the night sky (usually 40 minutes after sunset). The oldest "woman" of the household lights at least one candle which will light the table aprox. 18 minutes before sunset. If no woman past the age of bat mitzvah is present then a man can light the candle. Mothers are known to light a candle for each child. The man of the house gives the blessing. Go here to read a PDF for Christian Shabbat.
Christ is our Sabbath but He is not the Sabbath day: He gives us rest and God's Sabbath day brings us blessings. If you cannot give God the traditional Sabbath day of Saturday at least make time to be with Him - give Him a full Sabbath day at least once a week. It is the only Christian day that is required through the "Law" (10 Commandments). Christ freed us from keeping the "Law" to save our souls, but He did not free us from keeping the Law to be Christ like. We are saved by God's Grace and keeping His Law judges as good works. The world was given the "Law" (10 Commandments) so that we can understand who God is by what God judges as sinful and to reveal to us that when we do not or will not conform to His Will; to His Law, we are sinners. Saved by grace and obligated by love to maintain God's Will - His Law.
Christ Himself observed the Shabbat so also did the Apostles and the first century church. Don't let another week pass you by! Join us in praise and worship - Celebrate the Shabbat (Sabbath) with us 6:00pm ever Friday during the Shabbat meal.
Christ is our Sabbath
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Christ will judge our works according to His Law
Matthew 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Challah Bread Recipe
Ingredients
Directions
After the man of the house washes his hands he scores the loaves to the places in which it will be cut and then gives the blessing - Blessed art thou, Lord our God, king of the universe, who bring forth bread from the earth. Amen After the Blessing cut it up and make sure everyone has a piece - some dip it in salt as Lev 2:13 reads |
Shabbat (Sabbath) |