The Courier
NEWS A Season of Miracles
In 175 B.C. a greek King - Antiochus IV - began his rule over Syria. Like many kings before him, he was not satisfied with what he had and began a conquest against Egypt in 168 B.C. The effort to take over Egypt was nearly successful but intervention by a Roman ambassador stopped the campaign by drawing a "line in the sand" indicating Rome would declare war against Antiochus if he did not withdraw. Meanwhile, back in Syria (which included the area of Israel) Antiochus had instituted a series of rules intended to outlaw Judaism. Possessing any Jewish book was punishable by death; Circumcision was prohibited; mothers who did circumcise their children were to be crucified with their children hanging around their necks; and Jews were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and eat pig flesh. On top of this, the Jewish temple was desecrated with prostitution, an altar to the Greek god Zeus, and pigs were sacrificed on the Jewish altar. Under Antiochus IV, 80,000 Jews were killed and an equal number were sold as slaves. In 167-166 B.C. the Jews revolted. Led by Judas Maccabeus, the Jews won a series of victories over the Syrian forces and vanquished Antiochus. In 165 B.C., the Jews cleaned and restored the temple, and established a new holy day call the Feast of Dedication - also known as Hanukkah or Chanukah (held on Monday, December 19th of this year). Along with the miracle of defeating Antiochus, Hanukkah is also a remembrance of re-lighting the temple's seven-branched candlestick. As the story goes, only one small container of unpolluted oil was available - enough oil for one day - but by a miracle it lasted for eight days. There is only one direct reference to the Feast of Dedication in the Bible (John 10:22), but there are multiple references to the events that took place during that time. It is also interesting to note that another name for this holy day is the Festival of Lights. While this relates to the Menorah (a multi-branched candlestick), it certainly applies to the Christmas season as well, with its abundance of lights. While the birth of Christ Jesus very likely took place several month earlier, Christmas (or Christ Mass) is the day set aside to celebrate the miracle of God coming to earth as a man. As a man, He lived with us and faced all the challenges we humans face on a daily basis, including death. But... as God, He could do the one thing we can not do He rose from the grave, and in doing so, He gave us the most important gift anyone can receive... eternal life with Him.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
December 21, 2022
Vol 46 Num 51
Idaho Ski Areas Open During the Holidays
by Tony Harrison
Skiers and snowboarders throughout Idaho have much to celebrate this holiday season, with all 19 Gem State ski areas either already open or opening the day after Christmas. Three Southern Idaho ski areas: Magic Mountain Ski Resort near Hansen, Pomerelle Mountain Resort near Albion, and Soldier Mountain near Fairfield are open for the season. Sun Valley Resort in Central Idaho has been open since Thanksgiving, and the region's other ski areas - Lost Trail Ski Area on the Idaho-Montana border near Conner, Mont., and Rotarun Ski Area in Hailey - opened last week. Three ski areas in Eastern Idaho: Kelly Canyon Ski Resort in Ririe, Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyo., and Pebble Creek Ski Area near Inkom are open for the season. Kelly Canyon is offering the first 25 guests who dress from head to toe as Santa free lift tickets on Christmas Eve, December 24. The four ski areas in Southwest Idaho: Bogus Basin, Brundage Mountain, the Little Ski Hill in McCall, and Tamarack Resort are open for the season. Bogus Basin celebrated its 80th birthday on December 20th. All three ski areas in North Idaho: Lookout Pass, Schweitzer, and Silver Mountain Resort are fully open for the season. In fact, Lookout Pass just opened its new Eagle Peak expansion that nearly doubles its terrain and boosts its vertical to 1,650 ft. One North Central Idaho ski area: Snowhaven Ski & Tubing Area in Grangeville, has already opened for the season and the remaining two will begin operations during the holidays. Both Bald Mountain near Pierce and Cottonwood Butte Ski Area near Cottonwood are slated to open December 26th. Most Idaho ski areas are open daily for the holidays through Jan. 2. However, not all ski areas are open Christmas Day and some are closing early Christmas Eve, so make sure to check their websites for more details and operating hours. STOCKING STUFFER IDEA: The Idaho Peak Season Passport -- which lets 5th graders ski or snowboard three days for free at each of 17 ski areas throughout the state and offers 6th graders two days free at those mountains -- is a great, lastminute holiday stocking stuffer.