Hesed
The Indescribable Love of God

In the autumn of 2004, I heard about the Hebrew word hesed (or chesed) for the first time. My new husband and I had left our jobs to go to a 22-month Bible school in a new city. I remember walking out into the dark night after a class in a trance of joy. The deep, vast meaning of hesed captivated me.

Great love
Lavished upon us!

Behold, how great a love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called the children of God! (1 John 3:1)

Beloved
I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. (Song of Songs 6:3)

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can a flood drown it. (Song of Songs 8:7)

A Chronology of Jesus’ Birth 
A Family Reading and A Fun Quiz
Free PDF Download (Printable format)

The following passages are taken from the three Gospels accounts in the Bible that contain portions of the story of Jesus’ birth. As best as I could, I wove them together in the order that the events took place, gave subtitles, and color-coded the portions. I hope you enjoy reading the complete story with your family and friends.
Matthew 1-2 – Verses are in red.
Luke 1-2 – Verses are in black.
John 1 – Verses are in green.

The Feast of Tabernacles
He is with you! 

The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot falls on the full moon of the 7th Hebrew month Tishrei in the fall. This year, this Feast begins at sundown on October 2 and lasts through October 10. It is a week of celebration and thanksgiving!

During this week of The Feast of Tabernacles,

Yom Kippur
The Veil has been torn!

In this year of 2020, Yom Kippur or The Day of Atonement begins at sundown on September 27^th and lasts through the 28^th. 

The Feast of Trumpets, celebrated last weekend, is followed by The Days of Awe – ten days of repentance and preparation. These days end with a day of fasting called Yom Kippur, the most sacred Jewish holiday of the year. On this day, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies in the temple to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. A large veil of blue, purple, and crimson linen blocked access to this holy place where God dwelled. (2 Chronicles 3:14).

Yom Kippur
The Culmination of Adonai's Hesed

Jesus (Yeshua) fulfilled The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur that comes about in the fall after the Feast of Trumpets that was just celebrated this past weekend (see last week’s post here). This year, Yom Kippur begins at sunset on September 27 and ends at nightfall on September 28.

Yom Kippur recognizes Father’s greatest act of hesed toward us. The Lord made His hesed (indescribable love) so tangible to me last August 8 in 2019. I am still not able to put the impact of the experience into words, but it affected everything including my prayers.

In honor of this special lavish learning from my Father, I created this long banner with green satin letters on white linen to be the centerpiece of our home – Hesed Adonai Khadash kol Boker or The lovingkindness of the Lord is new every morning!

The Feast of Trumpets
On the Feast of Trumpets and Every Day, We Celebrate His Return!

The Feast of Trumpets will be celebrated this year on September 19^th and will begin at sunset the evening before. It falls on the new moon of the 7^th Hebrew month Tishrei.

God appointed seven yearly feasts for the Israelites to observe (found in Leviticus 23) to foretell and foreshadow Jesus’ life, sacrifice, death, burial, resurrection and return!

Saved by the Blood
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples. He Himself became our Passover Lamb. The Passover card celebrates God’s deliverance for us through Yeshua’s blood. The card includes the artist’s notes and a celebration greeting on the inside. Here is some of the text included on the back of the card:

Winter past!
Arise, my beloved!

The voice of my Beloved!
Behold, He comes
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills.

 Though the earth should change…

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the midst of the sea;

How are your sins like scarlet?

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

Purim
Esther's Story
2018
Free Printable PDF Download

The Feast of Lots or Purim Card is from the The Feasts of Israel Fulfilled Collection at Flower Girl Greetings.com

The celebration of the Feast of Lots or Purim (poo reem’) begins at sundown on March 9th this year. The first Feast of Purim was recorded in the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther.  

When I decided to add the Purim Art Card to The Feasts of Israel Fulfilled Collection, I had no idea how difficult it would be… Capturing the dazzle and gold leaf reflections from the original art to reproduce for the printer was daunting! 

December – I am Redeemed
Redeemed is the Hebrew nîgāl.

­­­“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7

November – I am Holy

­­And they will call them, “The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord.” Isaiah 62:12a

The heavens shall praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. Psalm 89:5

Yom Kippur
The Culmination of Adonai's Hesed
October 8, 2019

Jesus (Yeshua) fulfilled The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur that comes about in the fall after the Feast of Trumpets.  Yom Kippur recognizes Father’s greatest act of hesed toward us.  The Lord has made His hesed (indescribable love) so tangible to me these past two months by opening up a treasure of understanding that I experienced in a big way on August 8 of this year. I am still not able to put the impact into words, but it has affected everything including my prayers.

In honor of this special lavish learning from my Father, I created this long banner with green satin letters on white linen to be the centerpiece of our home – Hesed Adonai Khadash kol Boker or The lovingkindness of the Lord is new every morning!

October – I am Beautiful
Beautiful is the Hebrew yāpeh

The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. Psalm 45:13

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14a

You are altogether beautiful, my darling. Song of Songs 4:7a

September – I am a Reflector
Reflector is the Hebrew lashaqaph and means reflect, mirror, make visible.

For God Who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

August – I am Chosen
Chosen is the Hebrew bāhîr.

Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain…” John 15:16a

Zephaniah's Song
He Quiets Me

Dear friends,
 
Sometimes I have days. Days with disturbance in my emotions or mind. Days when I look up to my Father and ask for mercy and clarity. Last Monday was one of those days. Words that would describe my emotions were “limited, constricted, disquieted.” A friend listened to my heart and prayed for me. I went to my Father’s Word. Ahhh!