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1st Sunday of Christmas
5th Night of Hanukkah

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Flight into Egypt

Picture courtesy of childrenschurch.files.wordpress.com

The Holy family didn't get to live a peaceful and quiet life in Bethlehem for very long. Mary recovered from the birth and they were there possibly up to 2 years before the wise men showed up, to the house where they were living, not the way usually portrayed in Christmas cards and manger scenes. Then King Herod attempted to kill Jesus. The Magi who came to see the Christ child bringing gifts were warned not to go back to King Herod but to return home by another route and probably told Joseph about that before they left. Then an angel told Joseph in a dream to get up, take the child (not baby) and his mother and escape into Egypt.

They had the gold from the Magi and as a Carpenter Joseph would find work wherever he went. But being a refugee is difficult, leaving the life you know, and everything familiar behind you and coping with a different language, different culture. They had to deal with being outsiders, with a different religion from those around them. Apparantly there is historical evidence of them dwelling in caves on the outskirts of towns in Egypt. Some refugees escape with nothing but their lives. Spare a prayer for all refugees today - our Lord and Saviour, with his family were once refugees, strangers in a strange land.

Hanukkah - The Festival of Lights

This is the 5th Night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights the "dedication festival". (Hanukkah is the Hebrew and Aramaic word for 'dedication'.) Hanukkah lasts for 8 days. The menorah is put in the front window of houses so people passing can see the lights and remember the story of Hanukkah. In NZ nights are getting shorter and it gets dark later so I have set it at Compline (Supper).

Jesus attended Hanukkah in the temple at Jerusalem and there is evidence that was he concieved during Hanukkah. The 'light of the world' decended in the darkest part of the year in Israel, during their long winter nights, while the Lights of Hanukkah flickered there message of Hope and God's love.

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Prayer 7s Ministry, New Zealand. You may not use the material for commercial purposes.