A Church in Nazareth

     This year, while in Israel, I had the chance to visit the Church of the Annunciation. This is the place where the Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1)

The house where Mary met the Angel

     The church is interesting, because it contains relics of Nazareth’s past. In the middle of the church there is an old house. This is the supposed home where Mary lived with her family, and the place where the Angel spoke to her. The church is inspiring. I have more pictures of the church on the KosherCopy facebook page. (While you are looking, please ‘like’ the page.)

The Church of the Annunciation is a busy place today

     The story of Mary is much like some of our what happens in our lives. We get busy, handle the important matters of life, and oftentimes miss out on the most important matters of life. Mary was involved in a relationship with the man she loved, and was planning a wedding with her family. I am sure she also had daily chores, and other things she did around Nazareth, the small town where she lived.

In the first century, it looked more like this farm

     Then the Angel came, and interrupted her life. The Angel told her God had great plans for her. Mary said, “How will this be?” She was from a small town, and was from a family she thought was of low status. There was no reason the God of heaven should notice her and nothing in her life to bring her to greatness. Yet God chose her.
     The Angel said, “You will conceive and give birth to a son.” Mary responded, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” And she realized her life was about to change. Normal children bring change to normal parents. For Mary, the change was greater. She was yet to consummate the marriage (and becoming pregnant could mean divorce, and/or death by stoning!) and the Angel was telling her she would have ‘the perfect child.’ Mary was not ready for this announcement.

A Christmas sign in Nazareth, Israel

     Often, we are not ready for the things that God wants to bring into our lives. We take life as it comes at us.
     But we should stop. Every day we need to take time off, and spend it with God.
     Especially at Christmas, which is why I wrote the book Advent Journeys. I wanted to prevent life from consuming our family, so we could take in Christmas rather than Commercialmas or Crazimass.

The day of the month is on the outside, reading inside

     I hung a paper chain in our dining room to remind us to take time for God. I encourage you to do the same. (Instructions are on my website). Especially if you have small children (or even older children), take the time to celebrate the real Christmas.

Please visit my websiet

     Please take time to read my book, Advent Journeys, through Kindle Reader, free on Amazon Prime, have your local library order a copy, or order your own book. The readings will add meaning to your Christmas. And let me know what you think at KosherCopy@gmail.com

Christmas Shopping

     Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday, Great deals for myself, and for good friends. How do I get what I want and strategize to outdo the others who want the same things? December could be called “National Shopping Month.” Almost everyone will be in the store at least once (and probably more) to shop the sales, get gifts for important people, and to meet expectations of others.
     Christmas is a time full of traditions and expectations, but who’s expectations are we attempting to meet? I am not saying shopping is bad, but Christmassing to the exclusion of the special child born on that day misses the reason for the season. That’s why I started the original Advent Journey project more than 30 years ago.
     My Advent Journey began in a Sunday School class of young parents I taught in Wichita, KS. Through m weekly preparation I was moved to expand the lesson plans presented in the book with family activities. I shared the idea of doing something with our children every day from the Sunday after Thanksgiving until Christmas morning.

Nativity Scene

     Over the years, the Advent Journey expanded. The daily activities became more developed and included community activities. I created a paper chain that I hung by the breakfast table with a link for each day of Christmas. Each link included a verse we read together at the dining table, and an activity that would happen some time during the day.
     I added new activities and developed the plan to fit the interests of my growing children so it would not get boring. During the Middle School and High School years, the paper chain became a game sheet that my children took to school in their lunch. The plan and time together has given our family many happy moments and memories.

Advent Calendar

     I have shared the ideas with others over the years. I continue to want to share it with young families (please help me by sharing this post … and the website link!!)! A booklet of family activities can be downloaded for free from my website www.KosherCopy.com , under the Advent tab. The Bible verses I shared are also updated for this year, so families today can create their own paper chain.
     But why would someone want to take so much time to do this?? Because that is what Christmas is really about. God would want us to do this. The Bible commands us to pass on the faith (not the store bought gifts).

Great Book for Christmas

     So, what is your December filled with? Shopping and parties and travels? Does it contain time with the Savior, and sharing the faith (remember there is a difference between cultural tradition and true faith) with your family? The Bible tells us to Love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Avoiding the Christmas Crush

     November stands at the beginning of a very busy time of year. Now that the Election is over, people are thinking about Thanksgiving and the Christmas Season. Late Autumn and the first two weeks of winter are filled with many activities and special time with family. This season, which is usually just after the first freeze of the year is the time to pull out your calendar in order to make plans for everything that needs to be done.

     In only a few weeks we will celebrate Thanksgiving, with its accompanying family meal, football games, parades and black friday sales. All these take preparation. There are people to invite to our home (or travel plans if we are going somewhere else) for a feast of turkey and all the fixings. Shopping lists need to be created for the festive dinner, football snacks and black Friday sales.
     Thanksgiving, with its black Friday events leads us into the busy month of December. This is a month of parties, church activities, community events, year end closeouts, and preparation for Christmas. Preparation of the calendar alone, with it’s multiple conflicts can be a nightmare. It is best to do this month ahead (in November), in order to avoid as many problems as possible. For those traveling, this is especially important to catch the sales and deadlines before price increases.
     Strategic planning at the beginning of November can help a lot during the busy month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. A bit of pre-holiday organization of time can prevent conflicts and their associated headaches. A thoroughly drafted agenda will make sure nothing slips through the cracks during the busy weeks between the turkey dinner and the Christmas gift unwrapping event.
     If the schedule is unplanned, some necessary details of the holidays will be omitted. What can this be? The central item of the season which has not yet been suggested: the taking in and the sharing with others the all important matters of faith that are central to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
     Consider, how will you weave the central objective of gratitude into your Thanksgiving? How will you ingrain faith sharing into the advent season. In what way will you celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas morning? Don’t let the mundane and less important “necessities” crowd out the real reason for the season.
     I discovered many years ago the necessity of taking part of a day to weave a faith agenda into my December calendar. Without planning, the legacy of my family’s Christmas memories would only be the gifts they received. But I did not allow that to happen … and I hope you will not permit a secular Christmas to occur in your home either.

     Do you need help with your holiday plans? Take a look at my web-page www.KosherCopy.com. On top of the page you will see a tab that says Advent. There are two items on the drop down menu: Advent Calendar and Advent Activities. Click on Advent Activities to discover multiple ideas (which will work for families with children of any age). The PDF document (free) will help you create a Christmas that brings home the real reason for the season and celebrates the coming of the Savior, Jesus.

     Please also take note of the book Advent Journeys, which appears just to the left of this blog. The contents of this book will transport you to first century Bethlehem as it recreates the events of the first Christmas. This is not a book filled with homespun homilies, but short daily readings to help you join Mary and Joseph for the first Christmas, the best Christmas ever, because it is the foundation stone and beginning of all Christmases that have or ever will occur.

Make America Great Again!

     Make America Great Again is the slogan of our current President, Donald Trump.

America is a place of Liberty

     Make America Great Again is the desire of many American people. Whether a Republican who desires status quo or an citizen who feels our nation has slipped, most people want to live in a country known for its greatness.
     The question is, what is God’s definition of Greatness?
     Many people believe that Greatness is evidenced through great wealth, much success, or huge popularity, The “Great” are able to gather a huge tribe of followers who hang on every bit of news and seek to copy their ways. In effect, because of their worldly success, they become Messiahs. Jesus said, “if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Mt 24:23-24)

Every citizen should VOTE

     In an election year, voters in the United States have the opportunity to place candidates (often who are common men and women) into positions of great influence. As a voter I worry about which candidate is right. Do I chose through a study of individual candidates or by choice of party. Do I look at issues, experience or past success. I worry about which candidate to mark on my individual ballot. We can make right and wrong choices.
     As a person of faith I began to search out what makes a candidate great. I first looked the words of Jesus for a guide in making right choices when I cast my ballot. I found some great advice in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19) A great person is one who does two things: 1) practices the lifestyle taught by the ten commandments; 2) seeks to lead others into a life of morality and love for God. How do candidates measure up according to this word from God?

Our Veterans showed the testimony of greatness

     We can in the beginning look at the ninth command, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16) Our media driven society is swamped with political ads. Do the candidates tell the truth, or do they bear false witness? (Do we fact check? Or just lazily follow the wide path that leads to our nation’s destruction?) Choosing our nation’s leaders is serious business, not just following a crowd.
     Other moral commandments make a difference also. Do candidates honor parents, murder others to get their way, commit adultery, steal or covet? We should measure the men and women we are choosing for office. Honesty and morality are important!

We should be proud of our nation!

     The question comes, can the voters expect all candidates to follow God in a secular society? Moses taught that observation of God’s laws will show “wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?’”
     Is it OK for candidates to be put under the microscope and examined? Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:11-12)

Our flag is American Tradition

     Across the spectrum of world history many men and women have achieved the human status of “Greatness.” Their names fill books of history and conversations of common people. Some great people do good for others. Most great people do good for themselves. Often personal greatness comes at the expense of others. The Bible teaches, You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas Tree

     November marks a season of change. Gone are the months of September and October that mark the beginning of the school season. Gone is the season of shifting from summer’s vacations to a normal schedule (whatever that might mean). Gone is the season when we can depend on warmth to return after every cold snap. We have come fully into the season called autumn, when leaves are either colored or gone.
     November marks the beginning of the holiday season. It is a time for making Thanksgiving plans and thinking about what items to purchase on Black Friday. The time of Indian Summer is upon us and we all begin to realize that Christmas is just around the corner.

     For me personally, November marked the time when the organization of a new church year came to an end, and things were beginning to run smoothly. November for me, and for the Pilgrims, and for many farmers marks a time of rest, when recovery is possible after a hectic year. But it was not time to stop planning completely, the busy month of December was just ahead.

Advent Calendar

     November was the time I planned for December. I placed the multitude of church activities, parties, school programs and community events on my calendar. But I did not stop after these plans were input into my calendar. I went on to plan something much more important: My children’s Christmas (Advent) celebration.
     Soon after my first daughter was born, it came to my awareness that there is something more important than events and more eternal than presents, Jesus’ birthday. I could not and should not forget to plan family events that would help my children understand my faith. I set an agenda to share a Bible verse with my family each day at breakfast, and also a special seasonal event every day.

Children's Christmas Activities

     All these plans are included at www.KosherCopy.com under the Advent tab. I have produced a pamphlet of ideas to share with your children, and also an advent calendar. Many of the ideas do not take long to accomplish, but set one by one, each day of december, they have a profound effect on faith (and greed). Through providing an activity every day of Advent, the emphasis is taken off the giving of presents and placed on the celebration of Christ’s birth.
     With the free resources at my website, www.KosherCopy.com, it does not take long to plan a great Christmas. It only takes a decision and a couple hours of time. There is a great reward when your children find joy in Jesus rather than “what’s in it for me.”

A Dig at Zippori

During my two month visit to Israel, I participated in four archaeological digs, at Gezer, Tel Hadid, Zippori and at Tel Dan. My favorite experience was the work at Zippori.

Arches Reservoir at Zippori

Zippori was the capital city of Galilee in the first century AD. It is located a few miles from Nazareth, and many feel that Joseph the father of Jesus worked on government projects at Zippori.

Merchants sidewalk along main street

The cardo of this city is amazing. It is actually two roads that cross each other at the main intersection. Buildings have been recovered along both roads.

Site map of Zippori

The city also contains amazing mosaics. Some are located in what is called the Nile house.

Centar at the Nile House

Other mosaics can be found at the Dionysus House.

Mona Lisa of Galilee

There is also an amazing mosaic in the Synagogue.

Mosaic on the floor of the Synagogue

We worked at the first century water project. This is a cistern that held water that flowed down hill from spring along the Nazareth ridge.

Nazareth Ridge above Zippori

There are actually two cisterns. The first was untouched since the first century.

Arches Reservoir at Zippori

The second was developed into a wine press.

First view of the Arches Reservoir

Wine was stomped at one end of the cistern

First view of the Arches Reservoir

It flowed into a mikvah that was more than seven feet deep.

Shade tarp over the Arches Reservoir

There was also a stone reception area with pavers.

Measuring the Mikvah

We helped excavate the mikvah area.

Debris and stones above the Mikvah

It started by clearing roofing members which fell. The roof was a system of arches and coverings to keep the water in the dark until it was needed.

Digging Team at Zippori

We hauled lots of dirt out of the system, and also rocks. We found coins, pottery and other items as we dug.

Pottery found during our dig at Zippori

We worked with several archeologists who taught us about the site. They showed us the difference between first and second century plaster, as well as showing us areas of the cistern (structure) that was not plastered.

Filling dirt buckets at Zippori

I have included some stories from the hills of Galilee in my new book, Israel:Stories for Your Journey.

New book on Israel

Some of the places I visited during the two weeks of my tour were places I visited before, but since I helped plan the tour, there were some new places also.

Two Months in Israel

This year I had the privilege of spending two months in the land of Israel. The time was enjoyable and educational. While in the land I participated in a two week tour, four archaeological digs and also wandered various historic sites, shopping areas, recreational parks and various places to eat.

Some of the places I visited during the two weeks of my tour were places I visited before, but since I helped plan the tour, there were some new places also.

The Archaeological site at Shilo

One of the places I looked forward to seeing was Shilo, the site where Joshua set up the Tabernacle and where young Samuel heard the voice of the Lord. The Tabernacle is long gone, but the hills still stand at this site, the ruins have been made visible and the stories about Israel’s place of worship are still remembered.

A cave sits below the place of the Tabernacle at Shilo

One of the things I personally was interested in was the road that led to Shilo. I wrote about the trip of Joseph and Mary in my book Advent Journeys. I was pleased to see it was like the pictures I researched for the book. The site of Shilo was interesting also.

Baha'i Gardens in Haifa with the port area below

A second new place I visited was Haifa. I visited the Baha'i Gardens, hiked the Haifa Trail, ate great food at the top of the hill, and looked down at the great harbor below. The gardens were beautiful and very well kept. I walked down the 750 steps in the garden, and walked up the alternate trail that led back to the top of the hill. I enjoyed swimming at the beach.

The house in the Church of the Annunciation at Nazareth

I participated in archaeological digs at Tel Gezer, Tel Hadid, Zippori, and at Tel Dan. Zippori was the most interesting dig, and I will write about that in another post. While at Zippori I visited the Church of the Annunciation. The sanctuary is beautiful. The small house in the church as well as Joseph’s carpentry shop in the basement of another church are both interesting.

Kurlander Dairy in Northern Israel

I spent about ten days near Tel Dan and enjoyed the beautiful countryside in Northern Israel. While there I took a long hike a Banias and saw the waterfalls. I also entered Dan at the Canaanite Gate, visited Kerlander Dairy, Hermon Field School and various restaurants and shopping centers in the area.