SHOULD YOU REALLY?

So you think Purim is only a Jewish holiday?

Actually; Purim is a very Christian occasion despite what you might have grown up believing.  It is a very biblical occasion which is very important to the history of Christianity.  Had Esther not followed God’s will in her life and rescued her people from the evil Haman; there would be no Christianity today.

So; go ahead and plan a fun celebration.  It is okay!

Just remember to celebrate Purim with the full Messianic understanding.  The Jewish culture celebrates Purim traditionally only recognizing that Esther saved her people.  However Christianity celebrates Esther’s story because we see how symbolic her actions were in relation to what Jesus did for us.   We see that the story of Esther runs parallel to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Well……how should you go about this in a Christian way?  Below are a few suggestions to get you started.

TELL THE STORY

The most important part of the whole celebration of Purim will be the telling of the story of Esther.  You can find many plays and parodies on the internet which will help you tell the story in an interesting way that everyone can participate in and enjoy.  As a matter of fact, we have written our own story inside these blog pages.  Just click here to read our version: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/esther-and-the-king/.

The scroll used to read the book of Esther is called the Megillah. You can find beautiful copies of the Megillah in bookstores and on the internet. Read the scroll and/or have a play. Appoint one reader or several readers with different parts.  You could give out scripts to your guest and let them read alternately as you all act out a play. It is such fun!

When the reading is held there are actions that must take place with the noisemakers you need to furnish: When the name of Haman is stated people should boo loudly or shake grogers. When the name of Mordechai is given, people should shout “YEA!” When the name of Esther is given people should clap their hands.  All the noise just helps people keep focused on the story and compels them to listen more carefully.

DRESS IN COSTUME

If you really want to have fun – ask all of your guests to dress like one of the characters in the story, or simply ask them to wear any costume they choose. The dressing up in costume is symbolic of the fact that Esther hid her identity from the king. Wearing costumes makes this point.

It is fun to make your dining room look like a royal banquet hall.  Make the table colorful and festive  and put noise makers at each place on the table.

MAKE THE FOOD FUN AND FESTIVE

Prepare a festive meal for your family and/or anyone else you want to invite.

Serve Hamantaschens:

You may serve almost anything that you like in this feast, but most people make sure they include Hamantaschen cookies. These are cookies filled with fruit marmalade or poppy seeds. They were originally called “mundtaschen” which means “poppy seed pockets” and the word “hamantaschen” is Yiddish for “Haman’s pockets.”

These cookies are triangular in shape to represent the triangular-shaped hat that was worn by Haman. Some people have also noticed there are three points on the hat to represent the victory for the three founders of Judaism: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

These cookies are traditional and delicious. There are many recipes available in cookbooks and on the internet.

Drinks:

It is okay to serve alcoholic beverages this time; just use good judgement.

Though it may at first seem an unusual custom for Christians to participate in; it is also customary to serve alcoholic beverages at Purim celebrations.

I chose to imitate Jesus at our house – Jesus drank wine, but Jesus never got drunk. This is what I have taught my children all their lives, and moderation is the key to pulling off this part of the celebration.

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR JOY

Of course, children should NEVER be allowed alcoholic beverages; only responsible adults that you trust.   I keep sparkling grape juice on the table to pour into smaller plastic wine glasses for the kids.  I also use it to distribute in regular wine glasses to those adults who choose NOT to indulge in alcoholic beverages.

One of the most interesting commandments related to a traditional Jewish Purim has to do with the drinking. According to Jewish law, adults of drinking age are supposed to get so drunk that they can’t tell the difference between Mordechai (the hero) and Haman (the villain).

This drinking tradition stems from the joyous nature of Purim. It also symbolizes how ironically we sometimes live our lives mistaking good for bad and bad for good.  This clearly pictures a society gone wrong as was happening in the days of Esther.  The alcoholic factor is part of the point of the story and it does give emphasis to the fact that somewhere during the days of Esther the Kingdom got very off base with their protocol.  Seems that things went from too much alcohol to too much prejudice and killing.

There are lessons to be found here even with the use of alcoholic beverages.

EXTRA CAUTIONS FOR MODERN WAYS

Something to think about though (before you get too authentic) is that when this commandment was first given; people only walked or rode horses,  There were no cars at the time of the original story and many of the very first celebrations of Purim.

In the age of modern-day driving it is usually much too dangerous to keep this commandment.  Any true Christian would not participate in drunkenness. So – most people chose to add moderation to this part of their celebration – only serving drinks to those who chose to drink wisely.  Good hosts are careful to not let things get out of hand.  It is easy to use non-acholic drinks in wine glasses and still have the spirit of the party.

Of course it goes without saying that if you choose to participate fully in this custom you should drink responsibly by arranging for a safe ride home, or BE IN your home so you do not have to leave.

Don’t ruin a joyful celebration by becoming a drunk.

Remember Haman lost the victory.

BEING CHARITABLE

Mishloach Manot:

Mishloach Manot are pretty decorated baskets of easy-to-serve foods that are customarily sent to others on this day as part of the celebration.

Most of the baskets will contain nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, hamantaschen, fresh fruit and breads.  Remember to make and send them around just BEFORE Purim.  That is so that they can be used by those who receive them on the date of Purim.

Make the gifts secret and anonymous.

BE ANONYMOUS WITH CHARITY

With one’s friends and relatives well-fed and happy, Purim stipulates that one must also take care of those who can’t manage to celebrate on their own.

The holiday’s second obligation is giving to charity.

This doesn’t necessarily mean only taking baskets to those who can’t afford a celebration (though that is a very good practice and traditional too.)  It could mean taking care of the elderly and/or those who can’t get out to shop.

Physically challenged people might love to receive a basket for their celebration.  Mentally challenged people would probably greatly appreciate a way to join in and celebrate too.  Those who are older should always receive our help.

Sometime this means just paying attention and being present in our neighbor’s lives.

A SUGGESTION FOR MISHLOACH MANOT

Since you, as a Christian, will not be in a synagogue that auctions off some of your mishloach manot, and uses the money to care for the poor, it is suggested that you start a fund in your home or among your group that goes to any of your favorite charitable causes.

To pull this off, you could prepare one decorated basket to be given away by lottery to everyone who buys a ticket at your party. (This brings up and reminds everyone of the fact that Haman chose the lot as a way to pick his date to destroy the people. The word “pur” (the first part of Purim) translates to “lot.”

Apparently, many biblical dates were chosen by lottery.

Of course, this means your celebration would be reversing that bad action of Haman by having a lottery to help the poor and drawing “pur” to determine the winner as opposed to the loser.

The money that the participants donate for your group’s lottery could be used as a donation to your pre-selected charity.

LET THE CHILDREN HELP OUT

We’ve found that children love helping to make the baskets for mishloat minot.  Hence; some of their favorite childhood memories are of ringing the bell after delivery on a doorstep, then hiding and watching to see the reaction on the face of the one receiving the gift.

Therefore; it is also great fun to personally take these pretty and tasty mishloat minot baskets to others in the community during this time. Many people allow their children to do the delivering.  It helps teach the young to be charitable.  Sometimes they actually sneak the baskets to people’s doorsteps without the person who is receiving them knowing where they came from.

It is traditional to leave the basket on one’s doorstep, ring the bell and run.  The mystery delivery should never be solved.  This teaches children the act of having a giving heart and that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  It also teaches them not to brag about their acts of charity.

FORM YOUR OWN CUSTOMS AS YOU REVISIT THE STORY

So there; now you have so many ways to celebrate.

You will find that deeper layers of the meaning of Purim will come to you each year as you revisit the story.  Remember; the celebration can be as formal or as casual as you feel.

You will come to love and cherish the story of Esther.

Your family and friends will see more and more of Christ in the story each time you celebrate Purim.

God is such a great storyteller!

Also; every life is a story that God created.

What better way to learn the ways of The Kingdom of God than to listen to the stories of our Father? Could anything be more fun to do?

Happy Purim!