“The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle.” (Robert Altinger) Tonight marks the end of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. By the lighting of candles, the story is told of how God helped the Jewish people. At this season Christians use candles, too, representing, for them, Christ as the Light of the World. It’s interesting, isn’t it, that both Jews and Christians use candles as a sign of God’s intervention on their behalf. ;-) Jack
FROM HONEST JOHN: Have you ever noticed that we celebrate salvific events...not creation..... since that is what really matters to us.....we love God because he cares for us and is there for us...we aren't left alone in a world run by the likes of Kim Jung UN, Donald Trump or Isis.====JACK: I guess the birth of Jesus could be considered to be a "creation event." And you're right...we need to reminded of the omnipresence of God, especially at this time.
FROM TRIHARDER: Nerdiest of Christmases. Jack. I'm grateful for your friendship.====JACK: Sometimes the best gifts are those not wrapped in fancy papers with bows. Friendship surely is one.
====TH: My favorite stories, anecdotes, memories have very little to do with personal possessions.
(Though, I confess, I have been lucky all of my adult life to have avoided distracting financial problems.)====JACK: You and I and those who control money have difficulty in knowing what it's like to be poor. Even if we've been poor in the past, memory tends to fade. At the close of worship at Holy Spirit Church the pastor will often say, "Go in peace. Remember the poor."
FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE: Jack, have you read any books by Bodie & Brock Thoene? They are a married couple who are Jewish Christians who write fiction about Israel. good reading. ====JACK: No, I haven't read any books by that couple, but I once had a church member who married a Jewish man and decided to raise their children as Jews in order to help preserve an endangered religious group. I also know some Jewish/Christian couples who are working it out... better than some Christian/Christian couples.
FROM JAN F: Here at work, we have a number of employees of Indian descent. They have taught us about Diwali, their festival of lights. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. A light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.====JACK: Some in today's world decry diversity. I embrace for all that we can learn from one another. Part of learning. of course, is being able to use knowledge in a positive way.
====JF: A big part of my job is working with the Diversity Council, Community Relations, and GenNext. With diversity, I am reminded daily that as people love to celebrate their differences, we are all far more similar than we are different. With Community Relations and GenNext, I have found that most millennials are dedicated to making the world a better place and they're willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work to do it. I have a great job!====JACK: Fortunate are the people who have a job that they like and it, at the same time, rewarding.
FROM MICHIZONA RAY: Plus, I think it is timely given that the “dark” is the longest in late December...at least in our part of the world. Merry Christmas ====JACK: Plus. there no electric lights in those early days. Candles were common.
FROM BLAZING OAKS: As the old song goes, "If we all would light just one little candle, what a bright world this would be!" One can't imagine Christmas Eve without carols (song) and candles (light). Maybe we can light up someone's life as we reflect His Light! Love the WW today ====JACK: Our church now uses battery candles as a safety measure and to avoid wax drippings. It's different, but Silent Night still sounds the same.
FROM FACEBOOK LIZ: jesus’ cousin, possibly brother, correct? i love the saints bc they were normal people!====JACK: Yes, according to some scholars, Iffy, according to some others. You choose.
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