Malorie Part A
Saturday, February 21, 2009 |
0 flirted.
a.) Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah
It is finally time for me to say Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah! Usually it is Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, but this year things are different.
My Jewish cousins, Quinto & Rafela came to visit me from Canada! We were deeply thrilled to see each other after three years & were so excited to spend the holidays together, we started planning our Christmas two days in advance! And then there was the part that was new to me, somehow different... Hanukkah. While Quinto was telling Rafela about how I usually don't celebrate Hanukkah, the first thought that struck my mind was Hanukkah is a Christmas celebrated by Jewish, but much more complicated. Then thoughts like " Jewish too celebrates the Christmas I celebrate, but I am not a Jewish!" & "How come Jewish get to celebrate two Christmases?! Jewish are Christians, but am I not one too?" started flowing through my head. I first thought of skipping Hanukkah, but my cousins flew from thousand miles away! The only option left for me was to get involved. So that night after dinner, I decided to open my mind & asked Quinto & Rafela to weave me more about Hanukkah...
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah or The Festival Of Lights is a Jewish time of celebration that last for eight days. Why does it last for eight days? Well when the Maccabees defeated the invaders of Israel and drove them out of the Temple, the Temple had to be rededicated as it had been used to worship the Greek god, Zeus. In order for the temple to be rededicated, olive oil that was consecrated by the Jewish Priest must be used to burn at the Temple in a Menorah. But the oil that was on hand had been made unclean. The only oil that was "clean" was just enough to last for one day. So God extended the oil for eight days until new consecrated oil could be brought to the temple. Today, the lighting of the Menorah is symbolic of those eight days. It is not only to remind the Jewish people, but also to show the world God's miracle workings.
So what does that have to do with Christmas? Truthfully, not much, but yet everything... I should remember God for the miracle and the gift of salvation he has freely given us. I guess I do, but I think I have lost my way. Christmas trees, gifts, snowmen and a fat elf have taken center stage. I should take this opportunity to love & appreciate my family like Jesus loves & appreciates me. I guess I have, but it is not enough. It will never be. After everything Quinto & Rafela told me, I sit here at my desk with the realization that my Savior is Jewish. I have to believe that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah too!
Each of those eight nights as Quinto & Rafela light a candle, they say a prayer...... I join in......
"We light these lights for the miracles and the wonders,
For the redemption and the battles that you made for our forefathers,
In those days at this season, through your holy priests.
During all eight days of Hanukkah these lights are sacred,
& we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them
except for to look at them
in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for your miracles,
Your wonders and Your salvations."
(http://www.monacome.com/2008/12/hanukkah-prayers-blessings-chanukah.html)
written at 10:40 PM
