"The Feast of the Dedication"

 "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter." (John 10:22 KJV)

  "Then I heard two holy ones talking to each other. One of them asked, "How long will the events of this vision last? How long will the rebellion that causes desecration stop the daily sacrifices? How long will the Temple and heaven's army be trampled on?" The other replied, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the Temple will be made right again."" (Daniel 8:13-14 NLT)

 In case you haven't noticed by now, John likes to set many of these events to a specific time or place, sometimes both, depending on the situation. The Feast of the Dedication was an eight-day celebration to remember the time of a new alter and the purging of the Temple and was instituted in 164 BC. 

 I think this should remind us of the time between the end of the Old Testament and the day that Jesus was born, commonly known as, "The 400 Years of Silence." For 400 years God did not speak, not even a whisper is recorded; and then on that day, an infant cried out from that crib, and God's voice was heard once again on the earth! 

 Well, that's my illustration of the event, as I see it played out; so, you can take it for what it's worth. By the way, this feast is not one that needs to be celebrated in a specific place, and you can celebrate it any place you are at. The same is true for the times we can fellowship with the Lord. You don't need to be in a specific place, because everywhere you go, there He is! 

 I'm just saying, you can make time to celebrate and feast with Him anywhere that gives you the opportunity to do so! By the way, I heard Him knock this morning at 3:56. I know it was Him because it is always just two knocks, "Knock, Knock!" (That is for anyone else out there that can relate.)

 If you ask me, I think John's reason for giving specific times and places is mostly to help the reader have a sense of feeling part of the story. When you know the when or where, then you can place yourself there also, just to try and be part of the story. We are part of the story, so why not get involved and pay attention...

"This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now the Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen." (1 Peter 1:10-12 NLT)