Hanukkah

In Hebrew, the word means "dedication". In any language, the story of Hanukkah is the story of a miracle. And ours is truly a God of miracles, so - while my family is Christian rather than Jewish - we do have a tradition that began in my childhood of commemorating Hanukkah one night each December.

Aidan & Savannah were fascinated by Grandma Cyndee's menorah

Davyn devoted himself to helping Grandma with the latkes (potato pancakes).

[Sidenote documentation of why I may not be taking my planned Christmas photo on Saturday. I had been waiting for the bruise/bump combo on his foreheard to heal. Then he simply woke up with that right cheek beauty on Thursday morning. Real life, people. Real life.]

So what do we do for Hanukkah?  Well, this year Cyn entertained us with some rather interesting dancing to some rather interesting, authentic music.  But mostly, we eat dinner (the menu varies, but the latkes are always there) and tell the story. 

A short version of the Hanukkah story:

Long, long ago (2200 years-ish), the Greek ruler Antiochus sought to force Greek culture on people in his territory. Jews in what is now Israel were forbidden to practice their most important religious rites as well as to study the Torah. Though they were significantly outnumbered, a group of Jews took up arms to protect their community and their religion. After fighting for three years, this group (led by Judah Maccabee) reclaimed the temple on Jerusalem’s Mount Moriah. Victorious, they prepared to rededicate the temple, but found only enough purified oil to kindle the temple light for a single day. The light, however, miraculously continued to burn for eight days.

The holiday is   …a reminder of a miracle

…a symbol of triumph against great odds

…a message about Rededication.

An inspiration to people of any faith, I say.  And it has my mind currently spinning around the word dedication..."complete and wholehearted fidelity"..."the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action."   What am I willing to fight for?  to die for?  and (sometimes even harder!), to live for?  This may continue to spin for a while, but I do know that there's most definitely room in my life for a little Rededicating.  Grateful - always - that ours is indeed a God of Miracles.

To read more about how we started celebrating Hanukkah, go here.

To read about the best modern Hanukkah miracle ever (a story involving a dog and a whole lot of chocolate), go here.

Comments

[Kelly]

Happy Hanukkah, Hendrixes! Emerson had a guest speaker in kindergarten about Hanukkah today, so she has big plans to play the dreidle for FHE this week.

Davyn's cheek looks painful!

And Shadow -- that's my favorite story ever!

[Jill]

I've never thought about doing anything for Hanukkah, that's interesting and fun.

Poor Davyn, it's hard to be a little guy. Sometimes I think kids should all wear helmets.

[Megan]

I love the Shadow story, and I wish I could have been there the other night to celebrate with you all. I'm just trying to figure out Christmas this year, so I don't think I could add in another holiday. Maybe next year.

[lelly]

we, too, celebrate hannukah in our household, loving the *festival of lights* that seems to go hand in hand with the Christmas lights and the Solstice celebration of welcoming the light. i went to a college with a large contingent of Jewish students, so i was lucky to take part in many family celebrations.

one of our advent activities this year was to play dreidel, and we had a blast! the three of us spinning and talking away for 45 minutes of uninterrupted family time. bliss.

[April]

Wow...that cheek looks dreadful.

I loved the beauty of this post...especially you thoughts on rededication and fidelity (what a gorgeous word!). Makes my heart beat hard as I think about my God of miracles. This is going to have to become part of my holiday traditions.

[Tiffany]

Oh, Amy...I so much enjoyed your post and the two links. I really should go back and read through all the parts of your blog that I missed!

The All-of-a-Kind Family is my favorite Jewish literary family (a children's book series by Syndey Taylor). I've always been interested in all their celebrations.

I've made potato pancakes several times (but not part of Hanukkah). I always wonder if there is a better recipe out there than what I've been using. ?

[Marie]

I have always wanted to include a little Hannuka celebration in our family each December, but I never quite remember in time to find out the first day of the festival of lights and do it. And every year I say the same thing I am saying now, "Next year for sure."

Such a beatiful menorah. If I could find one like that I know I would remember to use it!

[Barb]

All I really know about Hanukka is the song by Adam Sandler! Kidding, but really I know more now that I've read this post.

[jenny c.]

Bummers about your photos. I swear that is always what happens to us as well. Boys will be boys eh? Poor little guy,,,ouch. I never thought about Hanukkah either, but my aunt is Jewish and they celebrate it. I am laughing at Barb's comment. That song is hilarious!

[Melissa]

How do boys get those scratches? Mine do the SAME THING and I am always puzzled at where they come from. What a great tradition in celebrating Hannukah.

Also, from last post, I love that you could have moved out with 43 cents! So classic. It made me laugh.

[Mandi]

Savy and Aidan look kind of funny in that picture! Well, Savy looks freaky and Aidy looks just flat-out mesmerized. The Shadow story is so classic, wonder if he's still alive up in Colorado.