Superb Essay. Privilege to read it; and the commentary based upon historical truth. A lot to chew on in this. Praying it will be shared far and wide among many diverse groups.
Excellent essay! Our family are traditional Catholics and, we too, are striving to continue our traditions as they have always been.
Each Advent, since the kids were little, and still today with the youngest being 18, we have read 2nd Maccabees, a little each night for a few nights, until it’s over. This is in addition to the Advent related scripture and commentary we read nightly around the lit Advent wreath. The boys (and even a couple of the girls) were always able to point out certain similarities between that story and the Advent story.
We treat Advent as a time of penance, though much lighter than that required during Lent. The Birth occurred very near the winter solstice so the days were already short and the dark night long.
In the midst of that darkness, the Light was born and the darkness could not overcome it.
My husband is an ethnic Jew and converted in 2009. It’s fascinating to see the parallels between the old and New Testaments.
Happy Hannakuh (I can never remember the spelling) and Merry Christmas to all!
God bless you. (sorry, I accidentally reposted when it didn't show, so I deleted).
6 false popes since 1958 correspond to 6 evil rulers in Maccabees, as well as destruction of ornaments, profane 2nd table, Elderly man running to hills to preserve faith, loyal Jews and Catholics fighting wicked intruders etc...
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The Villains of Christmas and Hanukkah
Superb Essay. Privilege to read it; and the commentary based upon historical truth. A lot to chew on in this. Praying it will be shared far and wide among many diverse groups.
Excellent essay! Our family are traditional Catholics and, we too, are striving to continue our traditions as they have always been.
Each Advent, since the kids were little, and still today with the youngest being 18, we have read 2nd Maccabees, a little each night for a few nights, until it’s over. This is in addition to the Advent related scripture and commentary we read nightly around the lit Advent wreath. The boys (and even a couple of the girls) were always able to point out certain similarities between that story and the Advent story.
We treat Advent as a time of penance, though much lighter than that required during Lent. The Birth occurred very near the winter solstice so the days were already short and the dark night long.
In the midst of that darkness, the Light was born and the darkness could not overcome it.
My husband is an ethnic Jew and converted in 2009. It’s fascinating to see the parallels between the old and New Testaments.
Happy Hannakuh (I can never remember the spelling) and Merry Christmas to all!
Lex, Vatican II era , still ongoing, very similar to Maccabean chapter.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t7T4zMgXKhk&t=2111s
God bless you. (sorry, I accidentally reposted when it didn't show, so I deleted).
6 false popes since 1958 correspond to 6 evil rulers in Maccabees, as well as destruction of ornaments, profane 2nd table, Elderly man running to hills to preserve faith, loyal Jews and Catholics fighting wicked intruders etc...
It's stunning
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
GOD bless you - the Light of TRUTH will come to pass ...
Thank you for this. There are some lessons that are timeless. Glad I found your substack.
I hope God will bless us with resilience and courage as we negotiate life in these times.