Prayer day to prepare for Christmas


Members of the Jerusalem and Jaffa kehillot met in Ein Karem for a day of prayer and study in order to prepare for Christmas.

On Saturday, December 4, 2010, about 65 members from the Jerusalem and Jaffa Hebrew speaking communities met at the convent of the Sisters of Sion in Ein Karem for a day of prayer and study in order to prepare for the coming of the Lord at Christmas. The day began with morning prayer led by Father Apolinary from Jaffa and with the musical assistance of Benny. Prayers were said for the victims of the fires raging in the north and a special petition that the fires might be extinguished. Likewise, prayers were said for rain. After the prayer, the assembly divided into two groups: a group of children that set off for a day of sightseeing and fun and a group of adults that went into the lecture hall.

The first lecture focused on the birth of Jesus according to Luke. The lecturer, Father Rafik, first asked his auditors to take some time to read the text: Luke 2:1-20. Thereafter, he spoke about the birth of Jesus according to Luke, and compared the description of Jesus’ birth with that of John the Baptist. He emphasized the literary connections with the Old Testament and also compared the births of Jesus and John with that of Samuel. He devoted a good part of his talk to the story of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple at the age of 40 days.

At the end of the discussion on Jesus’ birth according to Luke, it was time for lunch. After the blessing, those present shared he portions they had brought. The meal time provided the occasion to get to know one another and exchange news.

The second lecture focused on the introduction to Jesus’ birth in Matthew’s Gospel. The lecturer, Father David, first asked his auditors to read the text carefully: Matthew 1:1-16 and to identify the additions in the text of the genealogy, a basic text that recounts the engendering of a son by a father. Thereafter, Father David emphasized the Old Testament background, essential to understanding the meaning of the Gospel. Each addition (eg. The five mothers, the mention of the Babylonian exile, etc) added another brick to understanding God’s fidelity through the generations in preparing his people for the coming of the Messiah.

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At the end of the second lecture, the two groups, children and adults, met in the church for mass. Father Michel celebrated in his homily he emphasized the faithfulness of a God who wants to adopt us as his children.

A wonderful day in an enchanting place, thanks be to God and thanks to all who prepared and all who attended.

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