BY LAWRENCE “MACK” HALL

-1 Maccabees 4:36-60

Yes, long before the holy Magi came

Judah the Maccabee brought forth his gifts

First scourging the Temple clean of false gods

In prayerful preparation for the True

And then presented God with oil and bread

A consecrated Altar of undressed stones

Incense and lamps and songs and grateful hearts

And an octave of inextinguishable light

Thus, long before the holy Magi came

Even before the Star, Judah brought a flame