1. Lighting your Menorah. Tonight we continue our celebration of Hanukkah. Let’s begin by lighting the middle candle in your Menorah, the shamash, and six candles on your menorah. The glow continues to grow.
2. The baby is born. Read Luke 1:26 – 56, 2:1-20. Look closely at Luke 1:32-33 and notice what the angel announces to Mary. Notice how similar this pronouncement coincides with the four parts of Davidic Covenant G_d made with King David 900 years earlier?
The angel tells Mary her baby boy 1) Will be great. 2) Will reign over the “house” of Jacob. 3) Will reign for all times on David’s throne which implies 4) That wicked people will not oppress Israel during his eternal reign.
What does tell you about the character of G_d? He is very consistent and true to his word. Maybe not within our expected timeframes, but always within his and in the end, that is all that matters.
3. The Star of the Maggi. Read Matthew 2:1-18. Matthew’s gospel account tells us of the coming of the Maggi from the east. We do not really know if there were three wise men, only that they brought three kinds of gifts. Their three gifts consisted of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Who were the Maggi? Where did they come from? How did they know to travel to Israel? Watch the two 30 minute YouTube clips “The Star of Bethlehem 1 of 2” and “The Star of Bethlehem 2 of 2”, and see if you are not amazed. I know I was. Enjoy.
This night has most likely taken longer than the others, but I trust it was fun and enjoyable. Most likely, your candles have burned down already. Sing one or two songs to conclude as you celebrate the Miracle of Light if you have time.
From our family to yours, Happy Hanukkah and shalom.
photo by D. Mike Collins