One of the best things about being part Jew is getting to celebrate both Hanukkah AND Christmas. I remember this being a huge source of envy among my friends in elementary school...that I got TWO opportunities to get presents! It is pretty fun...
Each year, we have a Hanukkah dinner/gift exchange. Of course, it's never as big as Christmas, but for one evening during the eight night festival we gather as a family (Jessica, my blonde sister joins us annually :)) to share a traditional meal that includes beef brisket or roast, latkes (potato pancakes...picture hash browns)with applesauce, and nuthorns (cookies) for dessert (among other delicious items), light the menorah, and remember the miracle of the oil.
For those of you how are unfamiliar with the history of Hanukkah or who need a little refresher...here's a brief summary...
The Jews are conquered by the Syrians who defile the temple and force the Jews to worship idols. There are a small band of believers who refuse to bow down to a carved image and they rebel against the Syrians. Eventually, led by the Maccabees, the Jews conquer the Syrians. In the aftermath, when the Jews return to the temple, they realize that it's a spiritual mess...and there's a big problem b/c there was only enough ritual oil to burn in the Menorah for one night instead of the eight nights required for purification of the Temple. The miracle of Hanukkah of course is that the oil lasted for the full eight nights.
The neat thing about our Hanukkah celebration is that we connect the Jewish celebration to our Christian faith. The menorah is an eight branched candle holders with one central candle holder where the "servant candle" is located. The servant candle is used to light the rest of the candles. Each year our mother reminds us that as Christians, we know that the true servant was Christ and it is He who brings light to the world just as the servant candle brings light to the other candles.
So, once a year we spin the dradle (a game devised so that children could secretly learn the Torah while under the oppression of the Syrians) and remember the history of our people and the power of our God.
Happy Hanukkah!
Austin enjoyed Fat Baby's gift almost more than the Fat Baby did! If you look closely at the middle picture, you will see Austin IN the tunnel :)
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