What's A Princess to Do?

Realizing Purim and Hanukkah are not Feasts mentioned in Torah, I consider the style of celebration to be optional.   Some "Christian Hebrew converts" feel entirely too pious to even consider observing them.  While many traditional Jews go all out in celebration with extravagant costumes and desserts.  I guess, as usual, I fall somewhere between or perhaps outside of both.  On the Hebrew Gregorian calendar conversion, my date of birth fell on the 13th day of the 12th month back in the year of my arrival and that date just happens to be mentioned a couple of times in the book of Esther.  Knowing how easy is it to make spiritual matters about ourselves and our own interpretations, I try to tread lightly.  Purim, for me, is a time set apart to celebrate the power and deliverance of our Heavenly Father when we stand and in boldness speak out.

I don't participate in the full costume portion of the celebration, as that feels a bit like a Halloween knock-off or Mardi gras, but if my children were home, we'd have a "royal dress up day."  I used to have a tiara that was included in my hair style for the day.  Since Purim is not a Sabbath, there's just nothing that says "Princess" like accomplishing my everyday work wearing a tiara.  Sadly, in the last move, my tiara came up missing, and it's yet to be found.  I keep thinking I'll find it, or buy another, but that just hasn't happened, so this year I took a different approach.

Purim actually aligned with my birthday this year on the Gregorian calendar, so this year I decided to dress up  for the occasion.  I do make special cakes for each of the Feasts as well as the extra celebrations, but I'm not suggesting that to be doctrinal.  Cakes are not essential and Scripture even warned of the Israelites baking cakes in idolatrous rituals, so spirit check on that one . . . I don't bake often, so the difference between a regular meal and a feast at my table is, a feast includes dessert.  It's nothing more significant than that. Back to this recent Purim.

In observing this day,  I'd planned to watch "One Night With the King" after sunset the 4th, but already aware that staying awake through movies is virtually impossible, that plan was tabled.  Dinner was nothing fancy, but dessert was included.  After a slice of red velvet cake with a glass of wine, I'd hit my limit of celebration for the evening.  I awoke quite early, while it was still dark, to read the book of Esther.  Even at 3am, it really wasn't all that dark; as the full moon was so bright, there were moon shadows and the rooster was already crowing.  What a lovely way to greet the morning!  This was going to be no ordinary day.   Giving thanks for the day, I loaded a couple of goats for the auction, then later donned my costume and headed to town.  Being new to a full costume for Purim, I stayed in theme for the day.  I dressed as a middle aged farm woman heading to a livestock auction.

The goat auction really does have a cotillion atmosphere for me.  I don't make all that many purchases, but in the thousands of permanent buyer numbers, the auctioneer remembers mine.  Yes, it feels special!  In reality, my number is probably somebody's birthday or part of his phone number or address, but it feels special, none the less.  This night at the auction, I had a couple of specifics in mind, but no rush to settle for anything.


 Having chosen to use Bible names this year in the new herd arrivals, I continued that theme with the auction arrivals as well.  It only made sense when a big beautiful Oberhasli doe with regal horns, entered the ring with a little one in tow, I was probably looking at Esther . . .  Sure enough, and on the way home, I was pleased to discover her little one could potentially be the new herd sire.  I'd actually been looking for the last two years for an Oberhasli cross buck and was definitely wanting one for this coming breeding season.
Yah willing, the arrival of little Mordechai means the search for the herd sire has officially been accomplished.


 

My Tiara Slipped

Since relocating, the time before and through the High Holy Days becomes challenging.  I miss my Temple mishpocha.  Challenging to the point I spend significant time seeking as to whether these pre-Holy Day challenges are chastisement or an attack.  Correction just isn't a strong enough word to describe what takes place.  It seems there's always an unexpected "breaking."  Three years ago it was a religious separating; which was a door closing rather hard, but a new one opened.  Two years ago, it was family and my arm, literally; chastisement and deliverance.  Last year it was the realization of broken promises and hurdles toward the Plan, which seemed to be both, chastisement and attack; but nothing happens without Abba's consent.  

This year, it was not as shocking as it has been in the past; but rather; even expected.  As a matter of fact, I've gone back over the last few weeks with Abba, to make sure, since I'm not in shock and did expect it, that I didn't do anything to cause any of the breakdowns that have occurred.  It's simply, sifting for the end of days.  As the end of days continue to unfold, we have to realize, although we are sisters and brothers, we won't all get along in the same communities or camps.

I think I've been labeled and sent to the "legalism," "pretenders," "fallen from grace," and "Sacred Namer" camp.  I can't possibly cover all that ground!  Although I was publicly called out on a few of them, I'm not completely sure about all of them, though; as the proposed labels and publicly proclaimed offences were never brought to me privately, as Scripture instructs. It has seemed a great many are expressing annoyance, and I'm not sure I have covered that much ground, so I'm taking this opportunity as a platform to proclaim the truth I do know.

Since I wasn't there with Moses when the Voice came from the burning bush, I don't debate the pronunciation.  That seems horribly disrespectful.  I'd always thought the precise pronunciation and proper spelling of the English transliteration were the earmarks of the Sacred Namers, but that label may cover more than my understanding of it, I may be wrong.  It seems anyone who offers the fact that Messiah's name is NOT Jesus and the fact that LORD is only a title qualifies for the dubious title of Sacred Namer.  The fact that the King James Version of the Bible actually bears a dedication page to the King of England and King is a title of importance above a Lord should serve as a clear wake-up call, but . . . Then there is also the fact that the letter "J" did not even come into existence until sometime around 1500 AD.

Abba has used these recent breaks to remind me of part of my call, and the precious instruction given to me. In all of these projects, I've been slacking.  It seems when the self-professed preachers and teachers of social media are willing to openly rebuke me or passively cause accusation, I prefer to leave quietly, without great confrontation, so as not to bring dishonor to our Heavenly Father, especially in front of unbelievers.  Being unfriended by the religiously offended, really doesn't bother me.

Abba gave me beautiful feet, brought me to a mountain to proclaim the Good News and part of that good news is the True Name of our Creator and His Son, and the Names are Sacred!  So Sacred, I refuse to argue about the pronunciation or the transliterated spelling; but also so sacred, I refuse to back down and say it doesn't matter!