These are the dark days of the year. The Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, will soon occur on the 21st. And lately our weather has been overcast and gloomy, which makes the days seem even darker. The mood of the world seems especially gloomy too with riot and turmoil raging in the hearts of men. It seems even more appropriate then, that this is also the season of light. The ancients, who were avid sky watchers, saw the sun declining and to counteract it’s seeming demise, they made light with candle-lit trees, torch-lit wassailing processions, Yule logs, and bonfires.
In 165 B.C., the Jews led by the Maccabees, were able to overthrow their Syrian-Greek oppressors who had tried to destroy the Jews by defiling their temple and forbidding them to practice their religion. When the Jews went to rededicate their temple, they found only enough holy oil to keep the temple menorah lit for one day. It would take seven days to prepare more oil. By a miracle, the one day’s worth of oil burned for seven days and eight nights until the new oil was ready. The Jews celebrate this miracle with Hanukkah, the Feast of Rededication, the Festival of Lights. It begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew Calendar, when they light their menorahs to remember the miracle and fill the darkness with light.
For several years back in the 80's, Stacey and I both worked for Jews and we have always had an interest in the Jews’ religion and traditions. One year we took some of our Christmas bonus money and went shopping in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles where there are lots of Jewish shops and wonderful restaurants and delicatessens and we bought a menorah. It sits on top of the bookcase in the living room. Most years we try to light the candles (but we do them all at once, not one day at a time), and we tell the story of the miracle of the lights. Today is the last day of Hanukkah and we are having latkes for lunch. And this evening we will light the candles and play dreidel.
In 165 B.C., the Jews led by the Maccabees, were able to overthrow their Syrian-Greek oppressors who had tried to destroy the Jews by defiling their temple and forbidding them to practice their religion. When the Jews went to rededicate their temple, they found only enough holy oil to keep the temple menorah lit for one day. It would take seven days to prepare more oil. By a miracle, the one day’s worth of oil burned for seven days and eight nights until the new oil was ready. The Jews celebrate this miracle with Hanukkah, the Feast of Rededication, the Festival of Lights. It begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew Calendar, when they light their menorahs to remember the miracle and fill the darkness with light.
For several years back in the 80's, Stacey and I both worked for Jews and we have always had an interest in the Jews’ religion and traditions. One year we took some of our Christmas bonus money and went shopping in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles where there are lots of Jewish shops and wonderful restaurants and delicatessens and we bought a menorah. It sits on top of the bookcase in the living room. Most years we try to light the candles (but we do them all at once, not one day at a time), and we tell the story of the miracle of the lights. Today is the last day of Hanukkah and we are having latkes for lunch. And this evening we will light the candles and play dreidel.
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| Our menorah. |
We celebrate Christmas during the dark days too. Although Jesus was not born in the winter, in the Fourth Century A.D., the Christian church decided to officially celebrate the Nativity on December 25th, a date when many pre-Christian winter festivals occurred. Many of the pre-Christian winter solstice practices were adopted and given Christian significance. The celebration of the birth of the Lord became another Festival of Lights. It is befitting that we adorn the dark days with lights to celebrate the advent of the Light and Life of the World.
Right now there is an extra light in the night sky. Comet 46P/Wirtanen can be seen in the night sky right now – if you are lucky enough to have clear night skies. If you want to see it you can go to this site – https://spaceweatherarchive.com/2018/12/06/a-comet-as-big-as-the-full-moon/ – to find its location. It will only be visible until the 14th of December. I’m hoping we’ll have a clear night soon so we can see it. I love seeing signs and wonders in the heavens. I like to imagine what it must have been like back in the Meridian of Time when people looked up and saw a brilliant new star shining in the night sky. Some of them knew what that star signified, most of the world just wondered. I hope that one of the signs and wonders in the heavens that will precede the Second Coming of Christ is another brilliant star and I will get to see it.
Right now there is an extra light in the night sky. Comet 46P/Wirtanen can be seen in the night sky right now – if you are lucky enough to have clear night skies. If you want to see it you can go to this site – https://spaceweatherarchive.com/2018/12/06/a-comet-as-big-as-the-full-moon/ – to find its location. It will only be visible until the 14th of December. I’m hoping we’ll have a clear night soon so we can see it. I love seeing signs and wonders in the heavens. I like to imagine what it must have been like back in the Meridian of Time when people looked up and saw a brilliant new star shining in the night sky. Some of them knew what that star signified, most of the world just wondered. I hope that one of the signs and wonders in the heavens that will precede the Second Coming of Christ is another brilliant star and I will get to see it.
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| Where the comet will be tonight. |
Last week Stacey brought home two poinsettias from work. They were from the decorations at last Saturday’s Christmas concert. They are huge and beautiful plants. I love poinsettias, but they are not easy to take care of and despite my best efforts usually do not last much longer than the New Year. I will love them while they last.
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| One of the poinsettias. |
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| The other poinsettia. |
Yesterday Miriam made me a Christmas treat – a “Dad Friendly” apple strudel. She made her own phyllo dough using almond flour and wheat flour. The apples were our own, a blend of Caville Blanc and Winter Banana, and were so sweet she only needed to add a touch of honey. She added raisins and cinnamon and rolled it up and baked it. It was delicious.
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| The apple strudel. |
It’s sunny today. It seems like a long time since we had a sunny day. The sunshine looks nice, but it is cold out. I hope the sky stays clear so we can see the comet tonight. We are home from church and our latke lunch is being prepared. Josiah has a fire going in the wood stove. We’ll have a cozy afternoon. The week ahead will be fun. We plan on getting our Christmas tree tomorrow. On Friday the Thayns are arriving to have an early Christmas weekend with us. That will be fun. The halls will be decked and ready for lots of jolly times.
