This is the first year we have activily started to observe Hannukah. I started a few years ago, starting to implement the biblical holidays into our family worship time, but really never felt led to do Hannukah. But this year I did....After all Jesus did:

Yeshua was in Jerusalem to celebrate Hanukkah, as it is recorded in John 10: 22 - 30.

Now it was the Feast of Hanukkah (Dedication) in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Yeshua walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

Yeshua answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."

We aren't doing much, which I think is a personal choice for each family. There are many traditions that the Jewish do, but I don't feel I'm commanded to do. I'm not Jewish so I don't have those traditions, but I have gleaned some ideas from them. We do light the Menorah adding a candle each night....I don't have a real one, I'm using tealights this year placed beautifully on a silver tray. We are enjoying some special recipes...and eating fried foods is one of the things usually done. To symbolize the Holy olive oil that lasted, miraculously, for the eight days when the Temple was rededicated. So, for that we made the easy canned biscuit doughnuts...that was easy and fun for the kids. We've also made a pretty Garland of blue, Star of Davids glued on white ribbon...and today we will make a Tzedukah box...a box to add change to and to be used for the needy. We'll make it this year adding to it all year and will look forward to using it next year for charity. There are five nights left so we'll be doing some other simple things. Many families give a gift each night...I'm not doing that this year, but next year we may..but they will be homemade gifts or something small and meaningful to the individual or holiday.

We still do a very small Christmas...because of the rest of the family and my kids are not ready to give that up. I'm doing my best to not make complicated or give them a reason to walk away from their faith, so I'm implementing the new in slowly and the old out slowly. I love this time of year, and always have, but have also struggled with the blues this time of year and it seems like those are lifting as I get away from the Christmasy commitments, worldly ways, commercialism of it....you know all those "bad" terms associated with it. I'm surely keeping it simple.....

I don't judge anyone that celebrates it... and I wish all of you that do celebrate it with all the decorations and fun, the best Christmas ever..May it be filled with love and joy. And remember that even if our Savior wasn't born on Dec. 25th...He was born for us and then died for our sins! That is something to be thankful for everyday!

Cindylee

If you would like to learn a little about the History of Hannukah...here is site, I briefly looked at today:

http://www.bethdavidfresno.org/Articles/HistoryOfHanukkah.htm