Jumping up and down on cold toes I rescued the box labeled Hannakah from the garage. Thats because last year I must have been able or thoughtful enough to spell Hanukkah. 🙂 Of course, anyone who takes the time to read my ramblings has had a first hand experience in dealing with my non caring attitude over fixing what errors the fingers type out . . . it seems to translate to sharpies as well.

The big surprise was the extra box of candles in there, didn’t know I must have bought some on sale last year, a few dreidles, and a silver menorah, and a beautiful cloth with embroidered designs rounded out the unpacking.

A few people, quite a few actually, seem bothered that we celebrate Hanukkah. During my childhood, it was never mentioned, it seemed an us against them competition with Christmas. I do not have any memory of my parents or grandparents ever verbally abusing/dismissive against Hanukkah, so it must have been a cultural/church/society issue that I picked up on. As my boys grew older they asked about it. I realized, that in my 30’s I really had no idea why it was celebrated, or why it was so us against them.

I went to the honored informational center of Barnes and Noble to sip on some tea and do some research. After reading a couple of children’s books, I was puzzled as to why the Christian Church did not also celebrate/teach/know about this story. I think the history is great to pass on – in keeping with my challenge to really teach my children who God is. I love the fact that a few people thought it necessary to form a group and fight the injustice done to the Temple. I think it is amazing that a few people were able to get the Temple back. I find it just like My God to supply the oil needed, and to have it hold on for 8 days until the pure oil could be transported. I find it glorious that we are to remember the Dedication of the Temple. We learn in the New Testament that We are the Temple of the God. We also learn that Jesus is the light in the darkness. He is the LIGHT! Every kid who has been to Sunday School more than once has heard the story of the fishes and the loaves 1.5 times. Why – have they not heard of the miracle of the oil. Of the importance that God put in restoring His Temple, of his desire for pure oil, for His desire to dedicate? We learn that the brides were to keep their oil lit, and the warnings that went with letting their oil run dry. God does not want our oil to run dry.

So – we will light the candle tonight, we will retell the story of Macabees – we will play a game and eat chocolate – we will make sugar cookies with our Hanukkah cut outs – and we will try to educate anyone that will listen to why this is an important story for people who love the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob – and who choose Jesus as their promised Messiah. Waiting for His Return!

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning
Keep me burning ’til the break of day

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King of Kings
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King of Kings