Another installment from Fascinating Facts of the Faith. Not a song this time but rather an important site. Here goes. See if you are familiar with this.

Oberammergau Bavaria

     “In the early 1600s, much of what is modern-day Europe faced a seemingly unbeatable foe: the Black Death. As the bubonic plague swept the countryside, one small town in Bavaria boldly called on the only one they knew who could stop this indiscriminate executioner. They called out to God.
     In 1633, nearly every family in Oberammergau had lost someone to the plague. So its citizens joined together and vowed that if God would spare their town, they would honor Him by performing a “Play of the Suffering Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years until the end of time. As the number of deaths radically diminished, plans for the Passion Play began to take shape. In 1634, on a stage erected on the still fresh graves of the town cemetery, Oberammergau performed its first Passion Play. Every decade for the last three centuries (except 1870 and 1940 during times of war) has seen the Passion Play grow in scope and popularity.
     The now world-famous Passion Play is performed in years that end in a zero. The pageant involves over two thousand actors, whose good moral standing is as crucial as their acting talent. Hundreds of musicians and stage technicians also take part in the production. Anyone involved in the musical extravaganza must have lived in Oberammergau for at least twenty years. Performed in an open-air theater before an audience of more than five thousand, the play lasts more than six hours and is repeated five days a week from May through September.

FACT: Every ten years, on Ash Wednesday a year before the Passion Play is to be performed, the “Hair Decree” goes into effect. All the men in Oberammergau involved in the performance begin to let the hair on their heads and faces grow out.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves
and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14″

If this is new information for you and/or if you are pleased to read these Thursday Fascinating Facts of the Faith, please let me know.

This story and something I heard on Christian talk radio has formed a question for me. It has been said that Esther was called to be Queen of Persia in such a time as to deliver the Jews from destruction. The actions of one woman in obedience to God saved a nation. What acts of obedience am I called to in such a time as this to turn back the tide of destruction that is coming to bare on America? What acts of obedience are you called to in the same regard?

Praying for These

Until then + + +
Kathie