Sunday we arrived home stuffed from a late lunch and inactivity shortly thereafter watching the movie Eragon. I don’t even recall what we ended up creating for supper, as so much of my time since then has been busy-busy-busy (everything seems a blur). I remember it was something light and quick as we weren’t in the mood for much. On Sunday evening our discussion began, as usual, asking the kids what they remembered of the Hanukkah story. This time we heard a little more…and all the kids seemed free-er in their personal interpretations of the story.
As we had just seen the story of Eragon (the kids read the book by the same name last year as part of a homeschooling book club) we took our cue from it’s story line … in which we find a formerly free country ruled by a cruel king (though, honestly, the movie didn’t carry this with any kind of weight) and how people were waiting for the dragon-rider (formerly the guardians of the land, but thought to have been made extinct through a murderous coup) to free them from their oppression. We practiced drawing parallels in our Hanukkah story. Not everything fit mind you (you could just as easily fit some plot points to match Star Wars…if you meshed all the movies together). This seemed enough for the night’s studies.
Monday evening was tough. We were throwing a party in our home this afternoon (Tuesday) and so the day time was spent cleaning things up. I am afraid I feel back into some old habits, and dealing with OCD, and stress…well, lets say it didn’t help to lend a “teachable” time much less a family-bonding time for that evening. We worked hard and had some hard feelings toward one another as well. Franklin was feeling burned by what was supposed to be a quick trip to the mechanics to get the rear brakes on my car replaced (a job that would have taken him a bit longer than what the national-name brand business advertised…and so he was willing to spend a little more so that I could have the car to run errands necessary for the party as well as to pick up fresh ingredients for our Hanukkah dinner…they ended up taking an excess of three hours…leaving no time for any kind of prep…and too boot, they tried to jack up their profit by listing a ton of things that they said needed replacement/fixing…including front breaks he put on himself a couple of months ago…so we knew they weren’t being honest. It’s always hard to pay someone for their work when you know they aren’t being honest.) So, it was hard feelings all the way around.
The kids were given pizza for dinner…as no one really felt like eating (and pizza can be eaten at their leisure). Franklin led the blessing over the lights, we held prayer for the meal, the kids received their blessing, and the evening’s discussion was really more of a quick story time about the intrigue leading up to the miracle. We dismissed without too much fanfare and then crashed together to watch an old clay-mation Christmas special that I haven’t seen in years (one of my favorites, “Santa Claus is coming to town).
After the party this afternoon, the kids and I quickly cleaned up and decided that we weren’t hungry, really, for dinner. Franklin is working this evening, and so would not be a part of the festivities…so it looked as if things were shaping up for a very casual sit-down. My grandmother apparently fractured one of her leg-bones, and just as I was pulling things together for our observances, my mother called to see if my 16yo would mind spending the night with my grandmother for a couple of nights while she adjusted to the cast (which makes her an inch or so longer on one side). Normally my daughter wouldn’t be allowed to go off and miss our gatherings, but since this was a special case, I decided it was necessary. We packed quickly, and off she went across the bridge to my grandmother’s. Pressed for time (as it was now growing quite dark), I quickly prepared our table and called my other children. Since I was adopting
Franklin’s role, I asked if Olivia would like to do the lighting (she was thrilled). Rather than food, we opted for a kosher, non-alcoholic juice cocktail. The kids both mentioned how much everything felt like we were back at an older church of ours…when we could attend candle-lit evening services and take real communion-wine.
Tonight we covered Malachi and Daniel…the prophecies and settings of both. Both of these are covered in the Hanukkah postings offered on the sidebar…Daniel is spread out throughout all four entries, I believe…but Malachi is focused in part four (therefore, I’ll save you the rerun here). Malachi happens to be one of my most favorite books in the Bible, by the way. Maxwell was this close [holding fingers ½ inch apart] to being named Malachi but my husband said “no-way” as the name around these parts was greatly associated with a horrible red-headed horror movie villain.
We spoke on revival…comparing what happened in the time after Nehemiah with what was happening with the Maccabees and those who became a part of the freedom fighters. In both cases, they were preceded by a time when the laws and feasts were put aside and forgotten…not only by the people, but by a great part, the neglect was encouraged by the priests. Soon, the undermining of the law cost the priests the people’s respect and need/desire for the priesthood themselves. Those who held close the things of God, often, I’m sure, would have to wonder how much trust to give those who were to guide them in holy matters. As I’m writing this out quickly for posting, I’m not sure how to change a conversation into “easy reading” but I shared with the children that the real danger for their souls is not those who teach other gods, but for those who come claiming Him, but in denying His truth. For those who believe, I feel, the game continues to be to make believers doubt God’s word and then to exchange what they know as truth for a lie. The very first man and woman were treated this way, Messiah was given the same temptation, and so were the people facing Hellenization. I see a slow revival growing now, sturdily, in those who have belonged to a long tradition of acknowledging God but casting doubt on His word, especially in the things that God has deemed eternal. While I don’t live in a community pursuing proper observances, I hear about it happening across my country…and it gives me a little strength. The danger there (and oddly, I think I felt immune to it until this week when dealing with my Wikkan acquaintance) is to then take that knowledge and set a buffer zone around the law.
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