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Thursday - Second Week of Advent

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. (Matthew 2:3-4)

Herod was “King of the Jews” from 37 to 4 B. C. His reign was marked by a bloody struggle to protect his throne. His paranoid reaction to the announcement of the magi comes as no surprise.

What follows is another chord that hints at the death of the child just born – the “assembling” of the chief priests and the scribes of the people. Three times in his Passion Narrative, Matthew uses this same word to describe the religious leaders, “assembling” to put an end to Jesus. Ironically, here in the birth story the chief priests and scribes give supporting evidence that the child could be the Messiah.

It was easier for them to accept Jesus as an infant. Perhaps it’s easier for us too. When he grows up, he will speak some hard words.

In the Advent Season, we open ourselves to receive Jesus fully into our lives. He will not stay a child. He becomes a prophet, a leader who calls us to follow in his footsteps and to walk a different way of life. The truth is, he’s not always easy to follow. Don’t be afraid to tell him that.

Can I ask for guidance while I talk with him?

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

Friday, December 10, 2004

Hanukkah

The Jewish feast of “Hanukkah,” a Hebrew word that means “dedication.” began on December 8. It is an eight-day festival celebrating an event that took place a century and a half before Christ.

In 167 B. C., on the 25th day of the third Jewish month, the tyrannical king of Syria desecrated the Temple by removing its altar and putting up a pagan altar on which he offered a sacrifice to Zeus. This capped off years of attempts to paganize the Jewish people, some of whom went along with it. Others, however, were willing to die for their faith.

A revolt ensued and, exactly three years to the day after the desecration, Judas Maccabeus, leader of the revolt, purified the Temple, built a new altar, and dedicated it.

There was great rejoicing for many days, and candles played a large part in the celebration. Today a nine-branched menorah is used with one main candle from which an additional candle is lit each of the eight days.

The feast of Hanukkah usually falls in December.