I haven't always celebrated Chanukkah...it was 1995 when I realized that Judaism was the foundation of Christianity as Jesus was born a Jew. I had not previously been raised Jewish or had experienced anything of the Jewish culture. I started attending a "Messianic Synagogue" (even in some Christian and even NON-Christian circles; these are referred to as MESSYanic). It is a place which holds to the truth that Jesus *Yeshua* is the Messiah; for Jews and Gentiles. They celebrate the Jewish Holy Days rather than the Christian (pagan -originated) holidays.
As many have said "Chanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas!" and that is so right. Hanukkah is the wonderful commemoration of God's faithfulness to restore what had been taken and defiled from His people, Israel. The Festival of Lights is a constant and loving reminder that "nothing is so defiled that it cannot be restored".
I find this message filled with hope and encouragement for those who have endured abuses of all sorts. We are NEVER beyond "cleansing and restoration", even through we may feel that there is no hope; there is ALWAYS hope. NO ONE is EVER beyond the reach of HOPE and HEALING.
As tradition states (as well as Marty's song)...
I pray that we may one day say
that a "GREAT MIRACLE HAPPENED HERE" in our hearts.
Blessed Chanukkah to you and yours.
Judaism 101: Chanukkah
(include recipe for potato latkes and song lyrics)
Did you have enough potato latkes? Play enough Dreidel? Have you "lit your candle" in dedication of "your temple" in cleansing your life from the DEFILEMENT OF ABUSE? CELEBRATE your life today and light a candle in DEDICATION OF YOURSELF TO YOURSELF!
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