Why should we celebrate the Fall Festivals even though we aren't Jewish

I just had a conversation with someone about why should we celebrate the Jewish Festivals. Galatians makes it clear that we aren't obligated and regardless Jesus is the fulfilment of the festivals.  We've been doing Passover for a while, this will be our first Sukkot. While Evangelical Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, there are many meaningful reasons to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Here are a few good reasons:

1. Recognizing God's Provision and Presence
The Feast of Tabernacles was a time for the Israelites to remember God’s provision during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. For Christians, celebrating this feast can be a powerful reminder of how God provides for us both spiritually and materially. It also highlights God’s presence among His people, which points to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling among us (John 1:14).

• Application: Reflecting on God's faithfulness and provision in our lives today can deepen our gratitude and worship. It's an opportunity to celebrate how Christ has "tabernacled" (dwelt) with us through His incarnation and through the Holy Spirit.

2. Foreshadowing of Christ's Fulfillment
The Feast of Tabernacles also has a rich prophetic dimension. Many Christians see it as a foreshadowing of Christ’s return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The imagery of God dwelling with His people points forward to Revelation 21:3, where God will dwell with humanity in the new creation.

• Application: Celebrating this feast can deepen our understanding of eschatological hope, looking forward to the future when Christ will fully establish His reign and dwell with us forever. It’s a time to joyfully anticipate the fulfillment of God’s promises in the new heavens and new earth.

3. Cultural Connection to Biblical Heritage
Though Christians are not obligated to observe Old Testament festivals, participating in them can connect believers more deeply to the biblical roots of their faith. It can provide a fresh perspective on the significance of Israel’s history and how it finds fulfillment in Christ, enriching our understanding of Scripture.

• Application: Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles can foster a deeper appreciation for the Jewish roots of Christianity and promote unity with Messianic Jewish believers. It can also serve as a teaching moment for understanding the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.

4. Biblical Learning and Instruction
Paul writes in Romans 15:4 that "whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction." Although Christians are not bound to the Old Testament law for righteousness, these festivals were part of God's plan to teach His people about His character, His covenant, and His salvation. Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles provides an opportunity to learn from what God instituted, recognizing that these practices offer spiritual insights that are still relevant today.

5. Prophetic Fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom
I just finished reading the Old Testament and I realized that the Feast of Tabernacles has a prophetic dimension that extends into the future. In Zechariah 14:16, it is prophesied that after Christ’s return, all nations will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in the Millennial Kingdom. This suggests that this festival holds ongoing significance beyond the Old Covenant. Since believers are destined to celebrate it in the future, it can be a way to prepare for and anticipate Christ’s reign.

• Application: If this feast will be part of our worship during the millennial reign of Christ, learning about and even participating in it now can enrich our understanding of God's future plans and align our hearts with the worship of the coming King.

6. Deepening Understanding of God's Redemptive Plan
The Feast of Tabernacles is not just about remembering the past, but also points to the completion of God’s redemptive plan. Each of the Jewish feasts has a fulfillment in Christ (Passover = Christ's sacrifice, Pentecost = the giving of the Spirit, etc.), and Tabernacles is often seen as symbolizing the culmination of God’s kingdom when He will dwell with His people. Celebrating it helps Christians grasp the comprehensive nature of God’s redemptive timeline.

• Application: By observing the feast, Christians can deepen their appreciation for how God's work throughout history is interconnected, culminating in the final, eternal dwelling of God with His people (Revelation 21:3). It’s a chance to reflect on the unity of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

7. A Spiritual Discipline of Joy and Thanksgiving
The Feast of Tabernacles was a time of joy and celebration for the harvest and God's provision. For Christians, this can be a time to focus on cultivating gratitude and joy in the Lord. While we are free from ritualistic observances, taking time to intentionally rejoice in God's blessings is always an effective and biblical mandate.
8.  The Mic drop one too:  God called his appointed times everlasting ordinances.  We'll celebrate them in His kingdom and I don't want anyone from FSC to have to ask, "so what's up with the feast?"