According to Roman History, there used to be a time of Winter Solstice celebrations called the Saturnalia. This honored a false god of fertility, harvest, and fire. Originally it was on one day only on the Julian Calendar, on 12-17. Eventually it was extended to 12-23. Currently, the Julian Calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar. It was a rowdy time of merrymaking, parties, and banquets. Moral restrictions were eased in a mardi gras atmosphere of drunkenness, license, and debauchery. There were even bands of naked revelers roaming the streets singing and carousing. Some of these were “the cares of life.” According to the Messiah! He warned against “cares of life” of drunkenness and of dissipation (carousing)when He returns. Dissipation (carousing) is alcohol fueled sexual immorality. Especially made evident during Saturnalia? Would He have observed such misbehavior and mischief at Jerusalem when He visited Jerusalem during Hanukkah? Roman misbehavior would be evident every cusp of Winter. At Rome? Yes. Also near the Antonia Fortress in Jerusalem? Were there off duty soldiers nightly roaming about like wolf packs on the prowl on the streets of Jerusalem? Drunk, rowdy, and looking for trouble? Wise Jewish fathers of young daughters and lovely wives did not allow them to be out on the streets during the evenings of Saturnalia, from 12-17 to 23.

 

   Can we link the Messiah’s WARNINGS about “the cares of life” to excesses during Saturnalia? Admonishing to be sober and on guard and WATCHING for the Messiah’s Return during days around the Winter Solstice? Are there CLUES in the Messiah’s words to connect Saturnalia “Cares of Life” Excesses to The Season of The Blessed Hope occurring some year around the cusp of Winter? I wonder…

 

With Love and Shalom,

Jean

 

  

 

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