Hannukah
Our household is one of mixed religious celebrations.
I grew up with the “christian” holidays and N grew up with Jewish traditions.
For the past almost 20 years, we have celebrated both. I find the Jewish traditions more comforting than much of what Christianity stands for these days. To believe the “Savior” is yet to come, seems to be much more positive, and there seems to be much less of the hellfire and brimstone in Judaism than there is in Christianity. That being said, I chose not to identify as a member of any religion, but enjoy the celebrations anyway.
This celebration, Hannukah, is a great one. I know in Judaism it is not a major holiday, but personally I think it should be. The courage of those who took their temple back, and the miracle of the oil that burned far longer than was possible….these are messages of courage and hope. They are no less forward-looking than the birth of the savior in a manger, but Hannukah is not the Jewish Christmas. Christianity celebrates the possibilities, Judaism celebrates hope and courage.
In my life, non-theistic as I am, I find comfort in the reminder that courage and hope are there in the world. I need that reminder in my life right now.
So….Happy Hannukah to all. May the miracle of the lights remind you that there is hope for those with the courage to believe in it.
LIGHT ONE CANDLE
Peter Yarrow- ©1983 Silver Dawn Music ASCAP
Light one candle for the Maccabee children
With thanks that their light didn’t die
Light one candle for the pain they endured
When their right to exist was denied
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice
Justice and freedom demand
But light one candle for the wisdom to know
When the peacemaker’s time is at hand
chorus:
Don’t let the light go out!
It’s lasted for so many years!
Don’t let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears.
Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe
And light one candle for those who are suffering
Pain we learned so long ago
Light one candle for all we believe in
That anger not tear us apart
And light one candle to find us together
With peace as the song in our hearts
(chorus)
What is the memory that’s valued so highly
That we keep it alive in that flame?
What’s the commitment to those who have died
That we cry out they’ve not died in vain?
We have come this far always believing
That justice would somehow prevail
This is the burden, this is the promise
This is why we will not fail!
(chorus)
Don’t let the light go out!
Don’t let the light go out!
Don’t let the light go out!
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