Solemn Entry

Heavy rain on the horizon

Today is the eve of Hanukkah. I haven't been out to the New City so I don't know what Hanukkah decorations are in the streets. Obviously most buildings and plazas will have hanukiot that will be lit each of the 8 coming nights. The hanukiot is the 9 branch candelabra of which the center one is used to light the other 8, one for each successive night to commemorate the miracle of the small jar of oil that kept burning for 8 days in the Menorah.

My 1st anemone

Well the cold wet weather is going to dampen any festivity this weekend. Last Thursday while on my way from Jaffa to Tel Aviv to see the doctor, I managed  to photograph the horizon of the Mediterranean Sea on Tel Aviv ... a brown haze on the horizon ... which was heavy rains coming our way. Amazing sight. And this sudden cold has made many Spring flowers bloom! One of my anemones has already opened ... when it's usually February that they flower.

Well today the Custos begins his traditional solemn entry to Bethlehem as part of the Advent celebrations. It's a very solemn event with lots of tradition going back to the Crusader period. Civil, military and religious authorities from both sides of the border were in attendance: the Israeli side sends him off to Palestine (Bethlehem) and the Palestinian side to welcome him. It was broadcast live by our Media Center.

Many groups from Asia have arrived and I'll be busy visiting them in the evenings. Then there are retreats to preach. And I hope to start visiting the Armenian families with our 4 armenian brothers for the Christmas season. Advent will be tiring.