Morning Devotion

Yesterday, I read an interesting devotion from the Celtic Daily Prayer: A Northumbrian Office, pp. 379-380, which I think is worth sharing with readers of this blog. This month, the theme of the devotions is “Chosen People.” The biblical references for the following devotion on the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles/Booths/Succot are: Psalms 114:7-8; 118:20-28; Leviticus 23:33, 39-43 & John 7:2-6, 8-11, 14-17, 37-46. There is also a description of the feast from the Talmud, highlighting the celebrative mood. Dim Lamp

The Feast of Tabernacles or booths (Succot) is the context for John’s Gospel chapters 7 to 9.

During the Feast the procession carrying water from the pool of Siloam would circle the Temple and pour their libations on the altar, and this was done seven times in the last day of the Feast. Palm-branches and fruit were waved before God and psalms 113 to 118 always sung.

Bonfires were lit, and men of piety danced, holding lighted torches and singing songs and hymns to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, cymbals and trumpets played by Levites.                           Talmud

In the evening of the final day of the Feast there was a magnificent sight as the lamps were lit in the Court of the Women. Light streamed forth so that the Temple shone with an incredible brightness of light. It seems that this was the moment that occasioned Jesus’ amazing statement:

‘I AM the Light of the world.’

You can check out the Northumbian Community's web site here.