Day 339 Snow Shine

 

12/5/2025

 

Schools were closed last night for today in anticipation of snow fall. Around 3:30 am this morning when I got up, sure enough it was snowing! Oh happy day! I turned up the heat and crawled back under the warmth of my covers. The temperature was low, and it was still snowing slightly once I got back up around 6:30 am, a more reasonable start of day. Alex was no where to be found, as usual, but I put out a hefty bowl of food for him and the big white cat who has been visiting lately. I think our home must have a neon sign beaming the message "All stray cats welcome! Free food and lots of it!" Always happy to help a feline in need.

My son was enthusiastic about the snow, as was I, so he stuck his little Grinch and my little snow ball out on the rail for fun. 

 

Oh, the games we play - anything to amuse ourselves! Well, not really, just a little silliness. Good for the soul! We settled down, and I grabbed my coffee and headed back to my room for quiet time. I must say that it took a while for me to settle down to serious business. My prayers were those of gratitude for answered prayer for the snow. The only things missing were the mountains and the neighbor's dogs from next door in New Mexico. How I miss those rascals! Cats don't appreciate wet paws and rolling in the snow like dogs. They don't run and jump and play. Well, Alex is an anomaly when it comes to normal behavior for a cat. He actually chases me and nips my foot if I run away from him while he wants to play, and he enjoys rolling in dirt, even mud, so snow might be enjoyable for him also. I guess I'll find out if he pays a visit during the light of day. I can't blame him for not venturing out today though, as it was extremely cold! The sunlight was so intense that it reflected off of the snow and distorted my vision. When it snows, the light is so brilliant.

What a fitting start as the Festival of Lights on the Jewish calendar, better known as Hanukkah, begins the evening of December 14th, and I am told that more snow is in the forecast. The celebration lasts eight days, and it is a festive time and a time of deep gratitude remembering the restoration and re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. In the second century Israel was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel into accepting Greek culture and beliefs. A small band of Jews led by Judah of the Maccabees, defeated a mighty army and drove the Greeks away, reclaiming their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The temple's altar had been desecrated, so it had to be cleaned, restored, and re-dedicated. When they went to light the Temple's Menorah, they only had enough oil for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for all eight days, so this is why it is celebrated each year and called The Festival of Lights. The people celebrate by eating oily foods, like donuts and latkes (potato fritter), sing, retell the story of the miracle of the oil, play the dreidel, and exchange gifts each day. It's a happy time, and I think Jerusalem is due a bit of fun this year, particularly. Light in the darkness of all the wars. Hopefully, Ran Gvili, the last hostage (deceased from the 10/7/2023 massacre) will be returned from Gaza. That alone will be a celebration by all of Israel as that door of darkness is closed and families received some closure. 

Before the death of Jesus, he was in Jerusalem for Passover, He had ridden through the sheep gate with crowds shouting, "Hosanna, hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD." Someone wanted to see Jesus, so Philip went to tell Andrew, who in turn told Jesus. Jesus becomed troubled, and He predicted his death to His followers. 

"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!" (John 12:27-28)

In response to Jesus' cries, God responded, and the people heard His voice acknowledging His Son. Seeing their confusion, Jesus told them that the voice came from heaven for their benefit, so they would believe. And by His response they would know by what death He would die. The crowd did not believe, because they were expecting a King who would conquer their enemy and reign forever, so they asked Jesus, repeating His words, "'The Son of Man must be lifted up?' Who is this 'Son of Man?'" (John 12:34)

"You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light." (John 12:35-36)

Later, when Jesus was at the Temple, the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. I'm sure it was a set up, as the religious leaders wanted to trick Jesus into signing His own death warrant. As the story goes Jesus told them for the one who had no sin to cast the first stone. He had been writing in the sand, and I can almost see each one inching up close to see what He had written. Of course no one knows, but let's just say, perhaps Jesus was making a list. But, whatever happened, one by one, each accuser dropped their stone and walked away, and the woman was left there alone with Jesus. So Jesus told her to go and sin no more. Then He turned to the others who were there, and He said: 

"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12)

In the first chapter of John's gospel he identified Jesus as "the Light" when he was speaking of John the Baptist as the forerunner of "the Light." 

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:6-9)

As followers of Jesus we are told to walk in the light as He is in the light. Our lives are to be testimonies of His life in and through us, so He entrusted the apostles with that message, the truth that changed the world and continues to do so. Darkness is trying to creep into our nation, our cities, and our homes. The warning signs are like neon lights flickering in the darkness. We all see it, and we all know the source. We also know that the answer is the only one who can dispel the darkness, Jesus Christ the Messiah. Our job is just beginning, but the battle has been raging for quite some times. We can no longer look the other way and hope it doesn't touch down in our homes. It already has! 

Christmas is the time we celebrate the Light of the World's birth, and it is my prayer that as we prepare for that festive occasion or as we ready ourselves for Hanukkah, that we remember we are to shine the light of Christ and light up the world with the brightness of the Son of God who gave it all so that we might have it all!