Feast of Dedication

Tonight starts the first night of Chanukkah for our family and many others.  I am excited about this night with my family.  I am excited about what I have learned about this holiday and what the Lord is speaking to David and I as to why we will be celebrating Chanukkah with our family. 

The story of Chanukkah is that in 200 BC Antiochus Epiphanes tried to Hellenize Israel and appointed a man that was not a Levi priest over the Temple and then desecrated it.   The Maccabbees of the tribe of Levi refused to be Hellenized and revolted against Antiochus.  The  Maccabbees lead the revolt and as the story goes they called to all the Israelites that those who were zealous for the Torah ( the word)  that they follow them to the mountains and that remnant of Israel eventually led the overthrow of Antiochus and the re-dedication (Chanukkah in Hebrew) of the temple.

We will be lighting the candles and saying the blessings but we will be like those that followed the Maccabbees and be zealous for the word this season and re-dedicate ourselves its study.

  

Tis the season

Here we are in a season that is festive and exciting.  I went to a Christmas party last night, the first one of this season and it was so clear to me that the direction that God is leading David and I is where he wants us. 

I have always loved Christmas growing up.  My mom and dad always made it special for our family.  They have always exemplified for us what it is to give abundantly, even with the little we sometimes had and we watched, as God would multiply it.  Christmas eve, we would sing Come on ring those bells and happy birthday to Jesus; traditions that growing up pointed my sibling and I to “the reason for the season”.  When I married a Jewish believer in Yeshua, we talked about doing Chanukah instead of Christmas in our home and in my heart I thought that would never happen.  I never dreamed that such a precious season in my life could be replaced by something I have never celebrated or known.  Yet the Lord has changed my heart.  Here I sit, sipping my coffee, reflecting on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and the blessing that comes with honoring my husband and the joy of making new traditions for my family. 

I never dreamed that could happen without the tree, lights, and all that comes with Christmas but I find myself enjoying those things around me but not desiring them for our life. 

It’s hard to start something like all new holidays and celebrations that have never been a part of my life before and add them to my life.  I am reminded that, His grace is sufficient and the Holy Spirit is our teacher.  He is teaching me and getting me excited for the things that are different from the gentile way I was brought up and for the Hebrew/Jewish mindset and how can I make each and every season special for my family. 

This year we will be celebrating Chanukah as the Barker family and enjoying my family’s celebration of Christmas but the Lord is teaching me as I imagine he taught Ruth.  How great is our God and so greatly to be praised!  May we be reminded regardless of what we celebrate that He is faithful to His word and Yeshua is the light of the world! 

Mornings

Sitting here this morning with my cup of coffee and bible I am just thinking back on how I was raised and thanking God for that.  As a teenager, I remember wishing that when Saturday arrived that I could sleep in like all the other kids in America but inevitably by seven my mom would come to our room to get us up for the day.  She always said it was the best time of the day to get things done.  I’m sure I thought she was insane but times have changed.

 I do remember a time in my life when I loved to get up early and that was at my grandparents house.  I would spend weeks with them and at least three times a week they would get me up at 6ish and we would go to The Brown bag or some local breakfast place.   I loved that time with them, leaving the house when the sun was rising and the fog was still in the Maine sky.  I would step out on the porch and breath in the fresh saltwater air and then go and spend sweet time with two people I loved dearly.  The people that formed in me the excitement for the first of the day, the joy of a warm cup of coffee and great fellowship with the Lord and taught me that His mercies are new every morning.  

Good Morning

The house is quiet right now and I am able to enjoy a nice cup of coffee as I start my day reading a bit of the word and listening to some worship music.

The passage I was reading and meditating on...

Psalm 24

Of David. A psalm. ¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
   the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
   and established it on the waters.
 ³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god.^[a]
 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD
   and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
   who seek your face, God of Jacob.^[b][c]
 7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
   be lifted up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
   The LORD strong and mighty,
   the LORD mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
   lift them up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
   The LORD Almighty—
   he is the King of glory.

What a way to start the day and a blog. :-)