INTRODUCTION
I am happy to convey that the reports received here concerning the mid-winter social events are all very positive. My wife and I attended the ski event in Marquette, Michigan last weekend. We had lots of snow! The temperature was in the single digits (Fahrenheit scale), so it encouraged everyone to move right along! Mr. and Mrs. John Blanchard and the Upper Peninsula brethren did a wonderful job organizing and serving approximately seventy in attendance. I will report on the other sites after I receive written reports from them.
Here in North America the big news this week has been the weather. The Canadian brethren have obliged us with "deep freeze" temperatures that have merged with moisture from the south, resulting in snow and ice storms across the continent. From the Mid-South to the Gulf coast, the weather has ranged from miserable to dangerous. The state of Arkansas looks like it has been bombed, I am told. On a "misery scale" of one to ten, the CNN News reported Arkansas was TWELVE! Mr. Davy Crockett reported that apart from general misery which all are experiencing the brethren are all well and cared for. One concern Davy expressed is for our elderly members (especially the widows) but at last report they were o.k.
Mr. Ben Whitfield reported from Wheatland, Wyoming: "A long time member in God's church, Mr. Grant Ward, is suffering from terminal cancer and has been given a few weeks to 6 months to live. He would greatly appreciate your prayers and those of the church. Thank you very much for your prayers."
God's people continue to mature and prepare for the final day when Christ will say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Those of us still in good health and strength are very privileged to serve brethren who have themselves faithfully served others in the past. As Jesus said to His disciples, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man will lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)." Giving and serving one in a time of need surely reflects fulfillment of love.
Each year about this time some ask "what of Hanukkah?" Should Christians observe it? If not, why? According to The Jewish Festivals, HISTORY & OBSERVANCE by Hayyim Schauss, "Hanukkah is observed for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of Kisleu. It is not one of the great Jewish festivals, and bears no aura of sanctity."
In order to understand Hanukkah, one must understand the political condition in Palestine during the period before its introduction. There were two political factions in Judah, which corresponded to a division in the spiritual life of the Jews. One faction favored Egypt (because Egypt granted greater self-rule and religious autonomy) and the other favored the Syrians (reflecting Asian/ Grecian culture). In due course, "a war broke out between the rival political leaders in Jerusalem" (ibid p. 213) "It was the war between the political parties and their leaders that brought about the critical situation under Antiochus Epiphanes; and it was this situation that led to a revolt against the tyrannic rule of the Syrian kingdom and against the leadership of the aristocratic Syrian party in Judah. The old parties were failures and a new, national party arose, which declared: Jews are concerned with neither Syrian nor Egyptian interests, but only with strictly Jewish interests. This national party was under the leadership of Judah Maccabee and his brothers of the Hasmonean family" (ibid p. 215).
The Maccabee leadership initially sought only to reinstall the Temple service that had been interrupted for three years. On the twenty-fifth of Kisleu they re-dedicated the altar in the Temple with great ceremony, and decreed that an eight-day festival, commencing with that day, be observed yearly.
So, brethren, we are not concerned about celebrating Hanukkah because it reflects a political and military victory of one party in Judah. It is true that the intentions were religious, but time and space does not permit a review of the fruit of the religious party that ultimately became known as the Pharisees in the days of Christ.
While we would not argue that Hanukkah is a "pagan" holiday, it is a national one with religious attachment. Perhaps it is a type of the condition within the Church of God when Jesus returns — with factions fighting for political and religious control. I hope that you all appreciate that Mr. Meredith and we at Living are committed to servant leadership rather than hegemony in a political sense. From the beginning (of Global) we have sought to build a Work, not to provide ourselves with the trappings of the Church as it came to be in the latter days of Worldwide. We should remember that Mr. Armstrong spent over forty years building the Work into the powerful instrument it became. While the College was an important part of the Work, it now appears that it and the physical plant became an idol in the hearts of the majority "in the Church."
So, brethren, we close a second year of the Living Church of God. We are very thankful for the blessings and strength God has given us to continue His Work. With His guidance and blessing, we will continue to grow in power and scope — but only according to His plan and His will. We wait on Him to provide us with the tools and guidance we require, while continuing with the Work that He has clearly guided us to continue.
What an exciting time to serve God!
I hope that all our brethren around the world have a very good year ahead. Regardless of the trials and troubles, as Mr. Armstrong said during some difficult years, we know the outcome — WE WIN!
Have a great Sabbath wherever you are. Pray for one another and please remember Mr. Meredith and all of those serving in the Work throughout the world. Pray for God's blessing and comfort to those who are in trial of health and life.
Carl E. McNair