20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 that they should celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month WHEN THEIR SORROW WAS TURNED INTO JOY AND THEIR MOURNING INTO CELEBRATION. He wrote to them to observe the days as AS DAYS OF FEASTING AND JOY AND GIVING PRESENTS OF FOOD TO ONE ANOTHER AND GIFTS TO THE POOR. Esther 9
The Jews keep Purim to this day (Evening of Sat, 23 Mar 2024 – Sun, 24 Mar 2024) and they celebrate their deliverance from their enemies, in much the same way as we celebrate the coming of Messiah at Christmas. Christ brought an even greater deliverance for all people everywhere, so we have much for which to give thanks to the Lord.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: YOU WILL FIND A BABE WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHS, LYING IN A MANGER.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST,
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN!” Luke 2 (Heaven and earth connected in a way that had never happened before.)
There would never have been the birth of Christ and the worship of the angels without the deliverance of the Jews in Babylon, marked by the Celebration of Purim.
God bless everyone, wishing you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas from a very mild N.Ireland. We pray God’s Blessings on all of you our followers each morning.
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6