27 November 2013
Greetings from the Coleman's!
Sherry shared this with me tonight:
***
At 4:33 the sun set over the city of Jerusalem. It was now time for the lighting of the Hanukkah candles and the saying of the prayers. Sadly, the Rabbi was late. The service was postponed until 5. Then 5:15.
Eventually, the Rabbi arrived, opened his Siddur and recited the prayers and lit the candles. He then led the traditional song reminding us of the great miracle that happened so many years ago when God preserved the oil that was enough for one night for seven more. One would have thought that the Teacher would take time to share the story of the great miracle and the events that led up to it. Unfortunately, he did not.
As the crowd disbursed, some of the visitors and onlookers asked one another "what does this celebration represent?" Standing alone and hearing the question, Sherry called the people together who wanted to hear. She stood before them and told the ancient story of the Maccabees, their battle against evil and those who wished to inhibit the worship of the One true God.
A few moments later a teenaged boy had overheard a part of the story and wanted to hear from the beginning. So, she started again. When finished, the young man expressed his appreciation and thanked her for the time spent in revealing the miracle of Hanukkah.
Shortly afterwards, Sherry walked by another group of people who had watched the service from a distance but heard little and understood less. She heard them ask those she had told, and thus the story passed to yet another group who learned what God had done to preserve His people and a way of life that lives on even until today.
***
Sometimes, as we go about the practice of "doing church" we may forget that people outside our sphere may not fully understand what we are doing or why we are doing it. We assume – as the Rabbi did in Sherry's account above – that everyone understands the true meaning of Christmas. For many "Santa Claus" and the "Charlie Brown Christmas" are all they have every known. Their Christmas film collection is the "Miracle on 34th Street," "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "It's a Wonderful Life." To assume that people connect the most incredible miracle of God becoming flesh and living among us with "Christmas" is as far removed from them as lighting a Chanukah candle was for a group of tourists.
As we tell this story of God's provision for His people we also share His provision for our salvation. Take time this Christmas to share the story of he birth of the Christ child with someone new. It may be the first time they have ever heard it!
In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry
Patrick & Sherry Coleman
