HEAVEN AND NATURE SING!

The day Jesus was born was discovered after the fact. The wise men (or magos in the Greek) understood from God’s signs in the heavenlies of His soon coming and prepared for it, but not until the angels appeared to the shepherds (Luke 7:2-11) did anyone but Jesus’ earthly parents know He had first come as The Light of the World.

No one to this day can determine the exact hour a child will be born if it is a natural birth. God knows when that life is conceived and when that life will be born (Isaiah 66:9). So, too, only Father God knows when the Overcoming Man Child will be born resulting in the manifestation of the Revelation 12:5 Event. The Heavenly Signs of 2018

BUT HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED THE TIME? Taking into account Amos 3:7 and Deuteronomy 29:29, this may be the case with the saints who are being shown that our joyous expectation will be fulfilled during this Season of Light!

Hanukkah Harpazo

Not that the Rapture or Harpazo of the Overcoming Church has to happen on a holiday, but the Spirit of the Lord has shown a number of the brethren to look towards The Last Great Day. (Although this day is associated with the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, Chanukah became a Second Feast of Tabernacles.)

 

Our Brother in Christ Todd at IT IS FINISHED YT just posted what I think is the most exciting video yet-- REV 1:13, 7 LAMPS, John 10 HARPAZO. . . He shares about receiving phenomenal confirmations from God about this Season of Hanukkah! Not only that but he points to the fact that the word harpazō was said TWICE by Jesus during Hanukkah:

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck [harpazō]  them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [harpazō]  [them] out of my Father's hand. John 10:22-28 KJV

As Todd said, the reason no one will pluck His sheep from His hand is because He Himself will pluck or harpazō His people (1 Thessalonians 4:17)!

Both REVELATIONCHAPTER12dotcom YT (Hanukkah - Day 444 - Donald Trump & Blood Moons) and Many Fish posted videos on December 4 making a connection with the last day of Hanukkah (December 10, 2018) being 444 days after the September 23, 2017, Sign of the Woman! This is also when the Sanhedrin will perform a ceremony that will include the consecration of a stone altar prepared for use in the Third Temple. 

Back in 2012 Five Doves published an article stating the Scriptures make it clear that the Rapture will occur at Hanukkah:

What the Lord is saying here is that the 7^th day of the Feast of Tabernacles was the correct time for Him to shake the heavens and the earth, but the time has been moved to the second Feast of Tabernacles, a.k.a. Hanukkah.

. . . The Lord is telling us that we have not yet been raptured on the 7^th day of Tabernacles . . . He will come on the second Feast of Tabernacles, which is Hanukkah. [Excerpt from fivedoves.com]

THE HEAVENS DECLARE

Twins

We are seeing the converging signs for the birthing of “twins”—the first birth being that of the Revelation 12 Man Child (also foreshadowed in Isaiah 66:7 and Zephaniah 2:1-3) and the second birth being when those who come to believe on Messiah Jesus will be welcomed into the Millennial Kingdom. (Related articles: Birthing of the Millennial Kingdom and The Two-Part Coming of the Messiah)

It is noteworthy that God specifically mentions the Sun and the Moon in Genesis:

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: - Genesis 1:14 KJV

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also. - Genesis 1:16 KJV

The greater light that rules the day is, of course, the Sun; and the lesser light is the Moon.

The moon is a messianic Bride symbol just as the sun is a messianic Bridegroom symbol. Just as the moon has no light of its own but reflects the light of the sun and therefore shows its glory, so is the Bride with the Bridegroom.

The Open Scroll

In the video, December Night Sky by Nemesis Maturity, there is heavenly activity explained that caught my prophetic eye.  

At approximately 1:15 minutes, the screen says, “Catch your last view of Saturn for several months when it nears the Moon at Sunset December 8 through the 10^th”.

Saturn has long been known to symbolize Satan while the Moon represents "the virgin bride". Maybe I am reading too much into it, but Saturn disappearing made me think of the Dragon being cast down in Revelation 12 and standing before the woman:

“. . . and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” - Revelation 12:4b KJV

Will the Dragon stand before The Woman as Hanukkah ends at nightfall December 10? It is my highest hope because the next verse is the harpazō!

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up [G726--harpazō] unto God, and [to] his throne. - Revelation 12:5 KJV

Then at about 2:50 minutes in the same video an animated chart shows that from December 24-26 the Moon moves from below the Orion and Gemini constellations towards the bold white star Regulus of Leo.

Seeing Gemini (“twins”) reminded me that this month would also welcome the Geminids:

The Geminids are considered to be one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, with the possibility of sighting around 120 meteors per hour at its peak, which is on December 13 or 14, depending on your time zone.

The shower owes its name to the constellation Gemini because the meteors seem to emerge from this constellation in the sky. timeanddate.com

The video also shares information on the Geminids which are active December 4^th through the 17^th and report that the peak lasts for a full 24 hours so people around the world will get to see this spectacle!

Mars and Neptune in Aquarius

When listening to Many Fish’s video Aquarius Mars and Neptune Today, he shared about learning of the conjunction of the planets Mars and Neptune in the constellation Aquarius and all I could think of was:

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; - Luke 21:25 KJV

Mars represents “war”— distress of nations—and Neptune refers to the sea and earthquakes, thus the sea and the waves roaring! And look what Bullinger writes regarding the constellation Aquarius:

It speaks of that glorious time when Israel shall be restored, and their "eyes shall see the King in His beauty"; when the peace of Zion shall be no more disturbed, "but there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams" (Isaiah 33:17,20,21). . .

"Fear not, O Jacob, My servant;
And thou, Jesu run, whom I have chosen,
For I will POUR WATER upon him that is thirsty,
And floods upon the dry ground;
I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed,
And My blessing upon thy offspring.
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer the LORD of hosts." Isaiah 44:2, 3, 6

. . . This is the meaning of the Sign. The MAN Christ Jesus, who was humbled in death will yet be seen to be the pourer forth of every blessing. Physically pouring forth literal waters, removing the curse, and turning this world into a paradise:

"Making her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD." Isaiah 51:3

And morally pouring forth His Spirit in such abundance as to fill the whole earth with peace, and blessing, and glory, "as the waters cover the sea." The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger

  

EARTH RINGING

Along with all the heavenly activity, much is astir on Earth as well!

Thanks to Jimboni, a fellow watcher who commented on Rev12Daily blogspot, I found out that Many Fish reported on the earth ringing like a bell on November 11 (For Whom? The Bell Tolled 11/11!). I must agree with Jimboni who pointed out that this unexplainable occurrence was an act of God and quoted:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. - Psalm 19:1 KJV

Josh Peck in his December 4, 2018, video asked the question if this was a sign from God that would lead to the global quake of Revelation 6?

Back in September of this year, I wrote (and now think I may be wrong):

A woman in labor must dilate to 10 centimeters before she pushes the baby out. We will see one or two earthquakes that hit 9 on the Richter Scale before the Great Global Shaking of Revelation Chapter 6. One of those Level 9 quakes will be in America.

The Great Global Shaking of Revelation 6:12-14 will rock the planet at 10 or maybe higher and is most likely to occur simultaneously with the Resurrection/Rapture of those who are “in Christ” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). [Excerpt from Time to Focus! Mega Quake Before the Rapture?]

It would seem all indicators now are pointing to the Rapture happening in tandem with these devastating quakes, so—

The earth ringing like a bell may be God’s loud and clear signal that the GREAT SHAKING is next!

California has been long overdue for their “big one” and scientists in India are concerned about an 8.5 magnitude quake being overdue in the Himalayan region. More is happening in Heaven and on Earth than I can summarize without writing a dissertation! 

There is such a convergence in the spiritual and physical realms that it would seem we truly are on the verge of the pre-labor birth of the Man Child (Isaiah 66:7) and the beginning of The Tribulation also referred to as Jacob’s Trouble or The Birthpangs of the Messiah.

Will it be “The Season of Lights Out” as I wrote in More Heavenly Signs in 2018 as Spirit-filled saints are loosed from the earth and exit the planet? Now THAT would be the best gift ever!

Come Thou Long Awaited King!

BIRTHright

This past Wednesday I had time to look into what several of the brethren have been shown. It was as though the Holy Spirit put me on a direct path via Youtube because one video after another were all subject related, especially with the 11-11 connection. My journey began with Kay Tdid’s Vision on 11-11 followed by a video by Many Fish—23 46 69 Travailing in Labor! 11/11 Triumph over Baal! which led to one of Pearl Kolleri’s videos—11.11 is 923. It's all about TWINS. The Fountain of Life. As I contemplated all this, I went to bed last night asking the Lord to please help me understand.

Then this morning, Jaco Prinsloo’s newest video popped up--The RAPTURE: The Deal of the Century about to be Revealed and its Timing. After viewing it and seeking the Lord this morning, I believe He graciously gave me a nugget to share. The Last Day of the Overcoming Church on earth hinges on the relationship of the “twins of faith” and the perfect timing of our Heavenly Father.

Twins

As our sister Pearl Kolleri said, “It’s all about TWINS”. Israel and America are “twins of faith”. I am not referring to replacement theology but am referring to the prophetic link between the two nations as I wrote about in The Fall of America.

In her video Pearl talks about how the story of Jacob and Esau is a shadow of Israel and the Gentiles, or more specifically the Jews and true Christians, as is seen in Chapter 1 of the Book of Malachi. One rejected the Messiah while the other accepted Him.

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. - Malachi 1:11 KJV

Jacob and Esau 

Jaco Prinsloo also pointed out the Jacob/Esau connection saying Israel, if She agrees to the further dividing of Her land as outlined in the proposed Mideast Peace Plan and breaks the everlasting covenant, will be acting like Esau when he gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew.

I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And to you and your descendants I will give the land of your sojourn—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”… Genesis 17:7-8 Berean Study Bible

The United States, because of Her part in breaking this covenant (see article Greenblatt Reveals Plan to Unite Gaza and West Bank), will be destroyed in a convergence of events including the Light leaving her land at the time of the Rapture.

 

When I first saw the title of Pearl’s video containing the word “TWINS”, it reminded me of Alan Horvath’s teaching about the TWO BIRTHS:

So then the overcoming man child of Revelation 12:5 will be birthed into eternity before The Tribulation in duo-fulfillment of Isaiah 66:7. In Alan Horvath’s two videos: The Most Comprehensive Rapture Update and Kar Giver's Bonus Rapture Update 2017, he and Kar Giver explain how Scripture prophesies of TWO CORPORATE BIRTHS. Birthing of the Millennial Kingdom

As I reviewed my notes from June 2017, I noticed that Alan (at about the 36 minute mark of his Update video) also mentions the pyramids just as Jaco did when relating his understanding of the I Pet Goat II video. Jaco shares that in studying the heavenly configuration shown in the last scene of I Pet Goat II on Stellarium, it is pointing to the last days of Hanukkah this year, which is also known as The Second Feast of Tabernacles. The eighth day of Hanukkah would thus be The Last Great Day!

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. - John 6:39-40 KJV

The Baby is Crowning

In the video by Kay Tdid mentioned above, she shares about a vision of a baby’s head crowning with a small box or cube above it. The Hebrew word for “ark” is tebah which means “a box”.

It would seem the Spirit of God is encouraging us with the knowledge of just how close our “birth” is, dear brethren. We are at the end of the Second Stage of Labor when the baby’s head begins to be seen and the birth is imminent!

As our brother James Smith so aptly pointed out, The Great American Solar Eclipse back in August 2017 marked America’s last warning. Just as Nineveh was given a window of warning marked by the shadow of an eclipse crossing their land and the prophet Jonah was sent to them, America has been warned. Nineveh repented and was saved; America did not.

God in His great mercy, however, has left the door open to the Ark of Salvation—Yahshua our Jesus—but just as He closed and sealed the door to Noah’s ark, so too that door will be closed. . .

. . . And it will be very soon!

Should We Celebrate Christmas? (Reposted from 2010)

My husband and I believed we were in God’s will when we moved to a small city further south in the state. Before moving, we had been part of a Messianic home fellowship where we had learned the significance of Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Moshiach, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies including the seven feasts of the Lord. We were looking forward to being a part of our new church family, for we had already met some of the brethren before relocating and knew they shared a similar background.

One Sunday in late autumn, the children’s pastor stood up to make an announcement. She invited the children and their parents to become involved in a Christmas program she was planning.

This puzzled me, because in my Messianic fellowship we had been taught that Christmas was of pagan origin and not a holiday instituted by God. We had relinquished many old traditions, including the Christmas tree, for we had learned of its idolatrous roots. Instead, my family embraced the winter feast of Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, and celebrated Jesus fulfilling it as The Light of the World. As she spoke, I went to the Lord in prayer.

“Why are they doing a Christmas program, Lord? Shouldn’t they be celebrating Hanukkah instead?”

His reply was immediate. “Both Hanukkah and Christmas honor Me.”

Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, a warm revelation filled me. What was in our hearts was all our Heavenly Father cared about. It did not matter to the Lord whether I put up a Christmas tree or not. What mattered was why I placed one in my home. Because of my mother’s teaching, to me the evergreen tree was a symbol of eternal life available through our Savior.
This was good news indeed, for I missed the traditions of my childhood. I felt…free!

Now at wintertime my family and I fill the house with decorations, including a brightly lit Christmas tree. We sing Christmas songs and bake Christmas cookies.

Should we celebrate Christmas? Yes! Yes! Emphatically, YES! With our whole being let us celebrate and honor the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

BE OF GOOD CHEER!

Tears of joy and relief poured down my face as the Spirit washed over me. I was listening to a prophetic word given through a sister in Christ and it unexpectedly touched me deeply.

Because your light shines so bright in the darkness you have become a beacon of hope to those in the dark. You have done well my faithful servant. Continue. Do not be discouraged by the course of events. It must be so. I will give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Stay on the narrow path. Help guide my sheep. Feed my sheep. Be encouraged. I am always with you. 

And know this. The adversary has seen the brightness of your light and has stood up to take notice. This is why the trial is so difficult and suffering so great. I will greet you when the mission is finished. Be of good cheer for it is almost time to go home.

Not that I count myself as one who has suffered greatly or that I fit the description precisely as given above, but this became a living word to me because the Spirit of the Lord made it so. Also I will not give the source of this utterance because it is not pertinent. I believe that Y’shua, our Jesus, gives gifts to His people. Not that we are always perfect in carrying out these gifts, but somehow God is able to orchestrate good out of our clumsy efforts and this was the case here. I believe this is a word for the Church as a whole.

The Night of My Pleasure

Wars and rumors of wars are continuing to brew as NATO 'pokes the Bear' known as Russia and the UN votes to take jurisdiction of Jerusalem from Israel. As I sought the Lord this morning I was led to Isaiah 21 and look what I found!

A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. Isaiah 21:2-4 KJV

I decided to take a look at Informed Christian’s Event Study Calendar and the note printed on December 3 of this year was, “Rev. 12 sign approx. starting 42 weeks”. As I have written before, the Revelation 12 sign of the woman is to be completed on September 23, 2017, according to the Stellarium software.  

  

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Revelation 12:1-2 KJV

That would mean that today, December 3, 2016, could be the beginning or conception of this celestial pregnancy if it were a 42-week gestation (42 weeks being the longest normal cycle). In a natural pregnancy cycle, first there would be a time of intimacy between a man and woman. Could it be that this is what is being referred to in Isaiah 21:4 where it reads, “The night of my pleasure”?

Elam and Media are references to modern day Iran. With this in mind while reading Isaiah 21 we get a picture of a time of tribulation coming upon Israel—a time that is compared to the pains of a woman in travail. The Revelation 12 sign, therefore, is the celestial picture of this time of trouble coming upon Israel, and the ‘conception’ of this sign could be today!  

Not only that but if you go by torahcalendar.com sunset tonight marks the last day of Hanukkah—the season associated with the conception of the Messiah! (For more on this watch the spectacular presentation given by Rick Larson entitled, The Bethlehem Star.)

This does not mean that Jacob’s Trouble, another name for the Tribulation period, begins this month. What I am saying is that first comes the conception, then the approximate 9 months of gestation, THEN labor or travail—tribulation. The entire Tribulation period is divided into two named parts—the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:16-17) and the wrath of God (Rev. 14:19). 

But to those of us who are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9)--BE OF GOOD CHEER! It is almost time to go home!

Jesus Walked in the Temple and it was Winter

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. - John 8:12 KJV

While thinking on the Lord recently I was led to read of when he healed the man born blind from birth. As I read the account in the Book of John I saw something that I had not seen before or had forgotten.

What I realized was that the Messiah performed this miracle just prior to going into the temple during the feast of dedication.

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. - John 10:22-23 KJV


Those of you who read my blog or are familiar with the scriptural holidays know that the feast of the dedication is also called Hanukkah or The Festival of Light (read also: Hanukkah and Jesus).

Going back one chapter to John 9 is the account I am referring to:  

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:1-5 KJV

I believe it is significant that the Lord speaks of day versus night--light versus darkness--for a couple of reasons.

First, the Messiah ministers healing to the man--born blind. A man who knew only darkness is given the gift of light. Not only does the man receive physical light, but he receives spiritual light. When questioned--or rather 'drilled' by the Pharisees:

The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and [yet] he hath opened mine eyes.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.  If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. - John 9:30,31,33 KJV


It had been written in the Old Testament that the Messiah would fulfill many prophesies including healing the blind. It is very significant that Jesus not only healed a blind person but healed one who had been born blind--

Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. John 9:32

So prior to walking into the temple during the feast of light, THE Light of the World fulfills prophesy by performing a miracle never done before.

Because of our Messiah fulfilling all things, those who believe on Him have His Spirit residing within and are able to do the works He did and greater (John 14:12).

We dwell in a world that seems ever darkening, but we are not of this world and therefore do not dwell in the darkness! We must look through eyes of enlightenment remembering it is Christ in us--the Light of the World.

Abundant Love and Blessings to You and Yours this Season of Light!
 

Christmas--Lost & Found

My sister sent me a Christmas card as usual, but this time she wrote a comment that struck me. "Hey, doesn't this look like something Grandma B. would have sent?" Sure enough the angelic print trimmed in gold resembled the old fashioned Christmas cards our grandmother sent us when she was living.

Lately it has really hit me--the pain of loss many, many folks experience at the holiday season--the loss of loved ones who are no longer with us for various reasons. This year I realized that I have no mother, no father, no grandmothers, and no grandfathers to celebrate the season with. No uncles and no aunts.

Instead of dwelling on the loss, I decided to recall favorite memories, like the one my sister shared with me. I have the old--I mean really old--Christmas songs that my mother would sing to us when we were children like 'Here Comes Suzy Snowflake' and 'Hurrah for Captain Santa Claus'. The words and melody just crop up in me and I begin to sing them no matter where I am or what I am doing. And I have old ornaments and holiday decor. There's the corroding silver ball ornament with my name and birthdate that my Mom painted onto it with red nail polish the first Christmas after I was born. I still remember that my husband's mother gave us the golden-haired angel with the flowing crimson gown.

Our Heavenly Father has a way to redeem all loss. Some losses are redeemed in this earthly lifetime. I was witness to such a thing recently.

I have a sweet neighbor who lost her husband and her long-haired dachshund this past year. My daughter Rachel and I visited her a couple of weeks ago. Knowing how lonely she must feel I asked, "Have you been thinking about getting another dog?"

She smiled and said she had put a few calls into places looking for a small dog but that it was difficult to find one that was not a puppy. She didn't have the strength to train a puppy. "Somehow I think this dog will just come to me," she admitted with a shy grin.

Later that week, Rachel went out to the mailbox and spied a small white dog trotting down the street. The poor thing looked wretched with its matted coat wet from the day's rainfall. "Here, puppy," Rachel coaxed. But the dog scurried away in fear.

Two days later another neighbor called me and told me how she had trapped a small runaway dog and was going to take it to the groomer and the vet. On her way home from the vet, Gloria came by to see me. In her arms was the cutest little dog I have ever seen with red and green plaid bows tied to her ears.

As if reading my mind, Gloria asked, "So who wants her?"

"My daughter Rachel just reminded me that this little dog would be perfect for our neighbor acrossed the street!" I exclaimed and gave her a few details. Gloria's mind was made up when I repeated my neighbor's comment, "And she believes this dog will simply come to her!"

Tears sprung to my eyes as I watched Gloria ring the doorbell to my neighbor's door. "Oh, Mighty Father! How good You are that You would do such a thing to bless this dear woman at this holiday season!"

I decided to wait a couple of days before poking my nose in and seeing how they were doing. "Thank you so much," she said when I called, "And thank Rachel too for thinking of me! I've named the dog Holly." She shared more of Holly's story with me. I was so happy for her...and for Holly!

May yours be a Christmas of Holy Redemption!

Should We Celebrate Christmas?

My husband and I believed we were in God’s will when we moved to a small city further south in the state. Before moving, we had been part of a Messianic home fellowship where we had learned the significance of Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Moshiach, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies including the seven feasts of the Lord. We were looking forward to being a part of our new church family, for we had already met some of the brethren before relocating and knew they shared a similar background.

One Sunday in late autumn, the children’s pastor stood up to make an announcement. She invited the children and their parents to become involved in a Christmas program she was planning.

This puzzled me, because in my Messianic fellowship we had been taught that Christmas was of pagan origin and not a holiday instituted by God. We had relinquished many old traditions, including the Christmas tree, for we had learned of its idolatrous roots. Instead, my family embraced the winter feast of Hanukkah, The Festival of Light, and celebrated Jesus fulfilling it as The Light of the World. As she spoke, I went to the Lord in prayer.

“Why are they doing a Christmas program, Lord? Shouldn’t they be celebrating Hanukkah instead?”

His reply was immediate. “Both Hanukkah and Christmas honor Me.”

Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, a warm revelation filled me. What was in our hearts was all our Heavenly Father cared about. It did not matter to the Lord whether I put up a Christmas tree or not. What mattered was why I placed one in my home. Because of my mother’s teaching, to me the evergreen tree was a symbol of eternal life available through our Savior.
This was good news indeed, for I missed the traditions of my childhood. I felt…free!

Now at wintertime my family and I fill the house with decorations, including a brightly lit Christmas tree. We sing Christmas songs and bake Christmas cookies.

Should we celebrate Christmas? Yes! Yes! Emphatically, YES! With our whole being let us celebrate and honor the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

What Does Hanukkah Have to Do With Jesus?

This year Hanukkah began at sunset on December 1. Were you aware that the Lord is mentioned in the New Testament regarding Hanukkah?

It was winter and Jesus was in the Temple in Jerusalem for Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication. John 10:22-23 KJV

This feast is also called ‘The Festival of Light’. It is not one of the seven major festivals as named in the Old Testament; nonetheless, we should be aware of its significance. (For more information on the seven festivals, see my blog posting in September 2010 titled ‘Remember I Love You’.)

Just as Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Feasts of the Lord, He is THE FULFILLMENT OF THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT—HE IS ‘The Light of the World’!



Another wonderful truth about Hanukkah is that it is the time of year when Mary conceived Jesus, Our Savior. Yes, The Light of the World came to earth during The Festival of Light. For greater understanding of how this could be true, follow this link to The Messianic Center's site and read the article 'Dreaming of an Autumnal Christmas': http://www.themessianiccenter.com/2009/10/1/dreaming-of-an-autumnal-christmas

Hanukkah is a special celebration begun many years ago to remember when God’s people were victorious over darkness. Let us celebrate Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light! (I Peter 2:9)


Hallelujah!