This is not merely the conclusion of a counting of the omer (Lev 23:15-16) ; it is the culmination of covenant. The Torah was given at Sinai on this same day, fifty days after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. And now, the Spirit is given on the same day, fifty days after our Passover Lamb, Yeshua the Messiah, was raised from the dead.
With the approach of Passover and Easter, I am again reminded of the tensions caused by how the world and the church has lost track of time and the misplaced traditions that have set aside God's plan for celebration and worship. This disconnect between modern calendars and God's ordained accounting of time represents more than a mere technical difference—it signifies a profound spiritual rupture.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 CE represents perhaps…
The Christmas story is often wrapped in sentimentality—soft lights, serene nativity scenes, and cozy traditions. Yet, the reality of the first Christmas is strikingly different. It’s messy, disruptive, and deeply transformative. From Mary’s scandalous “yes” to God, to the chaos of a birth in a stable, the story invites us to step into the unfolding work of redemption.
Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel was not a moment of comfort but a call to trust and surrender amidst uncertainty. Her obedience echoes the creation story, where God brought order out of chaos, and reminds us that redemption often unfolds in the messiness of life.
This Christmas, as we reflect on Mary’s faith, may we recognize that God is still working through the chaos of our lives. Like Mary, we’re invited to say “yes” to God’s story—a story that transforms mess into meaning, bringing light and life to a broken world.
"As Christmas and Hanukkah align this year, explore their profound connection. Discover how Hanukkah's Festival of Lights commemorates God's faithfulness and how Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. Together, they shine a powerful message of hope, redemption, and divine light breaking through darkness."
This is not merely the conclusion of a counting of the omer (Lev 23:15-16) ; it is the culmination of covenant. The Torah was given at Sinai on this same day, fifty days after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. And now, the Spirit is given on the same day, fifty days after our Passover Lamb, Yeshua the Messiah, was raised from the dead.
