Shavuot is a complex holiday. Much like most other Judeo-Christian observances, it has portions which are strictly Biblical, portions which are tied to yearly cycles of seasons and life events, and portions of it which are, in all honesty, just silly. The plan I'm posting here is what we do, borrowing some of the extra-biblical "tradition" of the Jewish celebration, to lend a sense of authenticity to the history of the holiday, and packing in as much Biblical symbolism as possible.
The Food: No holiday gets past "go" without food. This holiday coincides with the barley harvest, and as such, much bread is baked and eaten. It is also a peak production period for milk in Israel, so dairy is high on the list as well. We start by baking bagels in the morning. Recipes abound online. Pick one. They take time to make, so don't make everyone wait for breakfast for them. Have something quick to hold you over, then make these. Enjoy the process. While they're baking, we make fresh homemade butter by shaking heavy whipping cream in cleaned out plastic ware or baby food containers.
Throughout the rest of day, food should be bread-and-dairy focused. We had homemade Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken last year for dinner (That's a no-no in Kosher food laws--combining dairy and meat in one meal--but we get to celebrate the fulfillment of the Law on our behalf, right? We also get to live on this side of Acts 10!).
The Family Time: This is one of the three pilgrim feasts of the year. In Israel, that means that Jewish men over the age of 12 must appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. Usually, whole families went. That means that families spent a lot of time together, talking about the Lord and learning from one another. Find time to just talk about God with your family. Ask questions, answer them with scripture. Marinade in the greatness of God together.
If you have younger children, as I do, google "Shavuot Crafts." There are many. Do something together to help them understand what this day is about.
The Scripture: Two sections of scripture are typically read on this holiday. I'd suggest you may add a third. First, sometime early in the day (perhaps over fresh homemade bagels and fresh butter) read the book of Ruth together. It takes place during this time of year (the barley harvest) and is about the inclusion of foreigners (gentiles) into the plan of God's salvation through the Jew. That's a pretty awesome fit for us gentiles who are celebrating this high Jewish holiday.
Later in the day (maybe as dinner is cooking), read the story of the 10 commandments from Exodus 19 and 20. Talk about the meaning of the Law for the Jew and its fulfillment for those of us who follow Messiah. In a typical Jewish home, this conversation, the studying and discussing of the law, goes all night. I'd suggest you change subjects after dinner.
In the evening, at the conclusion of the day, read some of the New Testament scriptures which discuss Jesus' fulfillment of the Law and our ability to live in His perfect completion of the Father's demands. Examples might be taken from numerous places in the book of Romans or Hebrews. You may even read some of Jesus' own statements about His relationship to the Law in the gospels.
Read Acts 2 to bring the symbolism into the New Testament. God has not only given us an invitation to relationship, but He has filled us with Himself! What an amazing truth in which we get to live!
Close the day by thanking God that He invites us to know Him, has given us His standard for living in the Law, and has fulfilled His own requirement by sending Jesus to live it perfectly for us!
Happy Shavuot!
