Trip to Bethlehem

I am pleased to announce a much anticipated 2018 trip to Israel. This trip will be like few others, with five guides who each have unique knowledge, perspectives and interesting stories to share while we are on the ground in Israel.

Dome of the Rock from the Mount of Olives

This week’s readings in the devotional Advent Journeys framed a portion of our upcoming trip to Israel as the Magi travel past Caesarea-Philippi, down the Hula Valley, around the Sea of Galilee and beyond through the Jordan River Valley. My trips to Israel helped me to understand much more of the Bible through the context of experiencing the geography of the land of Israel.  We will travel through the places and experience some of the sights (topography and fauna) seen by the heroes of our faith.

Advent Journeys, a book worth reading!

The first idea which developed into the book Advent Journeys was to walk the route of Joseph and Mary through central Israel. The events which occurred along this road framed our Bible and demonstrate God’s love and care for us in life, no matter where life takes us. The adventures which occurred along the Patriarch’s Highway, in the Jordan River Valley and at the other sites we will visit tell of God’s love, protection and gift of salvation.

The road from Nazareth across Jezreel Valley

As I laid out our trip I made sure we included the Jordan River Valley, the Via Maris (coastal highway) and an excursion to Shiloh. This site is north of Jerusalem along a route known as the Central Ridge Road which was traveled by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons, Joshua, Samuel, King David, Ezra, and Jesus. This route forms a portion of week two in Advent Journeys which I have only explored from satellite mapping, travel journals, the Bible and modern facebook pages. Now I will be able to travel this road in the comfort of an airconditioned bus and share its stories with you.

Satellite map showing the route of Joseph & Mary

We will travel the the Central Ridge Road (also known as the Patriarch’s Highway) in order to visit Shiloh, the site of Israel’s earliest place of worship known as the Tabernacle. We will see the extensive archaeological exploration at this site and discover its importance in the Bible. We will see Bethel, Mizpah, Ramah, Anathoth and other sites along the way.

From Nazareth looking to the east

Our trip will include Tel-Aviv, Joppa, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth, Sepporis, Galilee, Katzrin, Mt. Hermon, Mt. Arbel, Magdala, Jericho, Masada, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Gezer, the Wilderness of Zin, Arid and Beer-Sheva: in other words, all areas of Israel. You will have the option of a nine day trip or a fourteen day excursion (Take the fourteen day excursion, this truly is the trip of a lifetime and will make the Bible come alive!)

The city of Joppa as seen from the Mediterranean beaches

I will make available for those who go with me not only an agenda for this trip, but also a detailed itinerary for those who enjoy reading, and desire to know where we are going so they can spend time looking around the places they have studied. I like to study a place before I go so I can spend my time away from home looking at and experiencing the land rather than playing catch up through readings or lectures. I will send these to be placed on a tablet or kindle which can be easily carried to Israel.

Exploring the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount

I will soon have more details on my website, including travel dates and cost of the trip. To receive updates, learn about the trip or to sign up please like and follow KosherCopy on Facebook. With this blog I am inviting you to travel with me and come to see the Bible as only those who have set foot in the land of Israel can understand.

All that Glitters at Christmas

What makes Christmas bright? For many of us, attention is drawn to all the flashy luster that is part of this special season of the year. Possibly the most shining example of shimmering sheen in the season of Christmas are the lights. Starting in November and lasting through January, Christmas lights appear all over the place. In our neighborhood there are scintillating displays that glitter like tiny beacons after the all-too-soon setting of the sun brings darkness to our community. Beyond our subdivision, many other homes portray their love for the season using twinkling displays, moving lights, or even characters that sway as they burst with bright light. A few homes entertain passers-by with glitzy themes. Other residences show their value for quantity, teetering on the edge of gaudiness (a destination at which some have fully arrived). A few humble dwellings shine out with unbelievable extravagance. The glow of lights set out with great effort brings a welcome moment of joy and celebration for all.

Beyond the lights of the facade, many homes are filled on the inside with glittering, shimmering decor. Snowmen, snowflakes, skaters and icicles announce that the time is winter.  Candy canes, M&M’s and other mouth watering displays draw out the sweet tooth in us. Evergreen trees smothered with decor and tinsel share a hope that springtime will come again to break the cold and darkness. Displays of faith announce the real or historic reason we call this season Christmas.

The season draws out an expression of hope among merchants who fill stores with wares and line shelves with glittering trinkets which they hope we will buy. It is said that one out of every five merchandise purchases is made within thirty days before Christmas and produces three trillion dollars in sales on main street, mall row, byways stores and internet surfside displays.

Where did this all get started? Tradition tells us it was three kings who traveled the silk road from the east and brought the original glittering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But many in our secular world argue it was Santa Claus who dropped the original gold trinkets down chimneys into the stockings of the poor.  You can choose, but remember: One shiny gift brings only a quick flash of glitter, but a gift given with the love of Christ displays abiding light from within.

By some readings, both the Kings and Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) gave a one-time present. But when you look at the real Kings, and the genuine heart of the real St. Nicholas, you discover they each gave their gifts out of a heart seeking to please God. This Christmas, will you give presents that carry the glitters and glimmers of this world in order to impress, or will you give the gifts prayed over and driven by the love of Christ in order to embrace our world in an unbelievable way on that first Christmas morning?

Do Angels Sing?

A consistent theme of the Christmas story is the appearance of Angels to people. The story begins with an Angel who comes to Abraham on Mount Moriah and tells him, “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.” (Ge. 22:18, repeating the promise given by God in Ge. 12:3) The Angel also visits Zechariah (Luke 1), Mary (Luke 2), Joseph (Matthew 1), and shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem (Luke 2). These Angels are a major part of the Christmas story; they bring the good news and promises of God to earth.

This week in Advent Journeys we are experiencing Christmas through the journal of a shepherd. In Saturday’s journal this shepherd wrote how “an angel of the Lord appeared … and the glory of the Lord shone around them.” The angel said to the shepherd and his co-workers, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Then the Bible tells us, “a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”

There are many who tell us that Angels do not sing, because the Greek word used for the communication of the Angels in this passage is λέγω (legō), which means “to say or to speak.” The dictionary also tells us this word covers every kind of speaking: to bid, boast, call, describe, name, tell, utter. When this word is used in scripture (and in other places) most often it describes someone speaking or talking. But in a wider sense, this word conveys communication. What many ignore is that singing is a form of communication.

The truth which many scholars (who study this passage in a very narrow way) miss is that when multitudes of angels come together in communication it is most often through the medium of singing. The pattern of speaking which we see in this passage is a basis for the way we worship. Mary led Israel to worship through singing in Exodus 15. They continued singing as they traveled in the wilderness (Numbers 21:17) and as they settled in the land of Israel (1 Chronicles 6:31). God commanded Moses (Dt. 31:19), David (1 Chronicles 15:8) and others to write music.

The Bible tells us of the true songs of pure worship which are sung in heaven. These include ‘a new song’ which is sung in Revelation 5:9-10 “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” The angels also sang the new song of Moses, ““Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3-4)

The song of the angels to shepherds in fields outside of Bethlehem was a vibrant means of communication. “Fear not,” should explain to us we should fear neither hearing, speaking or singing the message of God. “Behold, I bring you Good News of Great Joy,” gives an example of how we should communicate the Gospel (good news) to those who have not heard. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” gives us the example that all of our music should be pointed to God (and not to we ourselves). This song also teaches (as does the song previously mentioned from Revelation 5) that as a result of our worship (and like the shepherds who “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child”) we should “be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.”

The Apostle Paul tells us to be like the angels, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15-16). Never let anyone tell you not to sing the joyous message of Christ, especially at Christmas!

Shepherds of Greatness

This week in the devotional Advent Journeys we move to the fields outside Bethlehem. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live as a shepherd? There is more to the life than just following sheep. Take a look at the devotions this week, you can explore for free if you are an Amazon Prime member. I think you will enjoy the adventures of the Shepherds.

The Bible has a lot to say about shepherds. The first shepherd in the Bible (and we can assume the man who domesticated sheep) was Abel. His work, his heart of faith, and his offering pleased God. God’s love for Abel was seen by all (but there were not many people in the world at that time), and was displeasing to Abel’s brother Cain.

The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jacob’s sons were all shepherds. They developed large flocks, enjoyed great prosperity and developed quite a reputation as businessmen. Some of their neighbors were not too keen on their success. The Philistines stopped up their wells and attempted to get them to move, but God protected the Hebrew people.

Moses took up shepherding at the age of forty after a tragedy made a move necessary to sof ha’olam smola (סוף העולם שמאלה). Moses possibly learned the basics of shepherding through leadership training in Egypt in the school of Pharaoh. On the back side of the desert Moses met his wife, saw a burning bush and received his call to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. (Who ever said Shepherding is boring?)

In an opposite way a shepherd boy named David received training to become King of all Israel through his leadership of sheep. (I wonder if there is a similarity between dumb sheep and a nation full of people). David learned bravery through protecting his sheep. He learned to sing and compose music either through necessity because of the vastness and emptiness of the Judean wilderness or through the constant bleating of the sheep. The solitude of the desert also taught David to worship God.

Shepherds are a unique group of people who carry a huge responsibility. This week we will join the shepherds as they live out their responsibilities and carry out their duties. Please, join the reading!

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Christmas Sunday School

For many years I have served as a Minister of Education at churches in Wyoming, Kansas and North Carolina. As a Minister of Education I developed educational programs for all age levels from Preschool to Adults. I found and trained workers to staff these programs.

As a retired minister, I continue in my life’s work, but at a slower pace. One area where I continue to serve is in the Preschool. During my time of service I encouraged everyone to volunteer with Preschoolers once per month during the time of the worship service (we called this “extended session.”) As an example (because I must do as I said) I serve in the Kindergarten class (our Minister of Children finagled a way to get me to serve twice a month), and develop my lesson plans where the curriculum is weak.

I have observed across the years that faith development in children is not automatic and a guide is required both at home and in church to to help children find the right path. I have shared in previous posts how I developed and carried out a lesson plan for the Christmas season each year with my family and in church. During the two weeks of teaching this month I drew upon my plan for Sunday’s lessons.

Last week’s lesson for children, and the journal in the devotional Advent Journeys, was about how the Angel Gabriel met Zechariah at the Altar of Incense in the Temple. My activity as I taught children was to have them lay down on a large sheet of paper with a crayon in each hand in order to draw angel wings snow-angel style. After the wings were drawn my helpers and I made an outline around the child’s body and let them color in the picture. As they colored, we taught the lesson.

This week’s lesson for children and the journal in the devotional Advent Journeys is about Joseph and Mary as they travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem and give birth to a Child. The birth of Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, so it is with great joy that I look forward to teaching the children in our church tomorrow.

As I thought about what to do (more than just crayons and paper), I decided to give them something that hopefully will last a lifetime: a nativity scene.

In our family we proudly display a nativity scene made of clay by my daughters and myself many years ago. Although rough and misshapen, the set contains many memories, and is hand made. The scene brings back memories of the class, my daughters' childhoods, Christmases of the past and the Christmas message. It is a keepsake which is the springboard to stories and sharing as people visit our home (and as I write this blog).

I decided to give the Kindergarten children in my class a gift. I bought air-dry clay and took it to breakfast this morning, where I practiced (and got it right the first time!) One pinch of clay rolled between my fingers to make the head. Three pinches of clay shaped like a bell to make the body. A coffee stirrer (I will use toothpicks in class) for the arms, and another pinch made the body and head for the baby. I cut small mangers out of pressed wood (looks like hay), and will put it in a box for a stable.

Why?

This week’s journal in the devotional Advent Journeys seeks to speak the words of Joseph as he travels with Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary were unique individuals of character, and for this reason they were chosen by God to become parents who would be remembered and who would serve as examples for other parents across two thousand years of history.

View from the Precipice near Nazareth 

Have you ever wondered why God chose this couple and how we can emulate their parenting methods with our own children?

Kitchen at a home in Katzrin

The scripture teaches that Joseph and Mary were individuals with integrity. Each parent in their own way sought to honor God with all their hearts, minds and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) When Gabriel came to Mary in order to inform her that she was chosen to give birth to the one called “the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32), she responded by asking “How can this be since I am a virgin.” Mary wanted her faithfulness to be known by the angel, by her parents, by her community and by Joseph.

Village of Katzrin in the Galilee

Matthew 1 tells of Joseph’s concern when he found out that Mary was pregnant. He loved her, but he knew his integrity would be compromised when the community came to know Mary was with child. Joseph sought a way to end the betrothal in an extremely private manner. As he prayed and sought God’s wisdom on the matter, Gabriel visited Joseph as he had visited Mary. The heavenly being assured Joseph that Mary had done nothing wrong. And the Angel asked Joseph to complete the marriage and to adopt the child.

Village of Katzrin in the Galilee

Both parents had similar concerns and stepped out in faith to accept the child and God’s calling to become parents and teachers of a child who was well beyond them in intellect and righteousness.

Scaffolding at Katzrin

Joseph and Mary sought throughout the life of Jesus and of their other children (Matthew 13:55-56) to bring faith to their family. The holy parents taught their children the scripture at every opportunity. They stood as examples of faith through every trial (and there were many, such as the necessity of escape from Bethlehem and living as parents of faith in a foreign land). Joseph and Mary honored every Jewish tradition and honored the festivals with their family. Joseph taught Jesus the skills of his trade and Mary loved Jesus and lived her care for him to the day of his death and beyond.

Packing down a roof in Katzrin

Jesus’ parents willingly took on any hardship and sought in every way to bring their children up in the faith. Today as parents we must do the same. We must honor the Christmas season with more than presents, we must honor God by giving our children our presence to tell real story of our faith. Parents show God’s love through proper placement of priorities.

Joseph the Builder

The Bible tells us Joseph, the father of Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). To most of us that means Joseph build things with wood, such as chairs, tables, homes, stables, and feeding troughs. This week as we read the book Advent Journeys we will come to know Joseph and Mary much better.

The Greek word for carpenter, τέκτων could also mean he was a craftsman or builder. After visiting Israel this definition seems much more reasonable, as wood is scarce in the land and most homes and buildings are made of stone. The term could also mean that Jesus’ father was a creator. We know that Jesus’ father in heaven was the real Creator (Genesis 1).

There has been a lot of discussion about what Joseph built. He and Mary both lived in the small Jewish town of Nazareth. Joseph could have repaired homes and objects in this small town. Certainly there were not a lot of new buildings or construction in Nazareth.

It is more probable that Joseph worked in the gentile city of Zippori, about three miles away (an easy 45 minute commute for someone used to walking). Zippori was an older town which was revitalized by Herod the Great as one of his building projects. Herod quartered an army at this location which was half way between the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee. The city was perched on top of a hill with excellent visibility and for that reason the Talmud tells us it was given it’s name which in Hebrew could mean a bird.

Joseph could have worked on minor projects, for there were homes and objects to create for the homes and businesses in the community. It is hard for me to think of the father of a great person like Jesus as the creator of menial things. I believe there are great objects which still exist today which were built by Joseph (which means “God adds”).

Joseph could have built the gigantic walls which were part of Zippori. Within this Roman city there are theaters, amphitheaters, hippodromes, palaces, government buildings and other huge projects. There were also fortified walls in order to provide protection for the troops. Some think Joseph was killed in a construction accident at an early age (before Mark 6:3 was written) because he does not appear during Jesus’ adult life. Accidental movement of massive rocks could certainly cause a person’s death.

Joseph could have built roads which connected Zippori with Nazareth and places beyond, for the Romans were great road builders. The Roman roads helped make the world a place where the Gospel could be easily spread by traveling apostles and missionaries. The roads were made of huge blocks which were trimmed to be thin and flat.

Zippori is known for it’s beautiful mosaics. Some people called this town the “Ornament of Galilee.” Mosaics are in many of the homes and are objects of great beauty. Mosaics are made of small square stones of different colors which create pictures. It could be that Joseph, and his son Jesus were creators of some of these Mosaics. One of the pictures is of such beauty it is called the Mona Lisa of Israel.

If you want to learn more about Israel or the mosaics of Zippori, or the travels of Joseph, I will be taking a group to Israel in June 2018. Watch for more details on my website (Israel Trip) www.KosherCopy.com