"If you decide to celebrate Hanukkah in your home you'll need a menorah. Beautiful multi-colored Israeli-made candles are available for those who light menorahs. Any library or bookstore should have a good selection of illustrated books telling the story of Hanukkah for children."
"Have festive meals for eight days, say silent prayer three times a day and each night while lighting the menorah, talk to your children about Jesus being the light." Each night a blessing is said while lighting the candles. The following blessing is said only on the first evening: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season." There are Scripture references and devotional readings for each night of Hanukkah.
A Temple menorah has seven branches, but the Hanukkah menorah (called a Hanukkiya) has nine branches--eight to remember the eight days of Hanukkah and one as the shammash, the tallest candle used to light the other candles.
We decided to make our own menorah. This is what you get when you take 1-1/2 lbs of Sculpey clay, three exuberant kids and one wacky Mom:
I wondered if it was a bit...wild. So I emailed a photo to a Jewish friend and asked her what she thought. She replied, "It is fun...like the holiday should be!"
I think it's safe to say that there is no other menorah like it in the world!
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12
Linda, one of my favorite singers is Marty Goetz, a Messianic Jew. He has a song he wrote for Hanukkah and he makes an analogy about how just like the Temple was overrun, our physical temples are often overrun and need to purified. It's a wonderful song. We listen to it every year with our kids. I may have it on my blog when the first night of Hanukkah arrives.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that?! What a great menorah you guys made! Very unique and festive. I am impressed!
ReplyDeleteLinda, what fun! I love your menorah.
ReplyDeleteAll you young moms with your gung-ho-ness has me wishing my kiddos were little again and I could have another go at raising them. But I'd need all your inspiration and ideas, of course. (I guess I'll just have to do it better with the grandbabies - if and when they come along.)
I love it! You are a very fun mommy!
ReplyDeleteKim, I love Marty Goetz too! He visits our church from time to time, and we are always so blessed by his humility, joy and awesome testimony. This morning in the car we listened to the Psalm Enchanted Evening CD for the first time and there was the Chanukah song! It's perfect, just as you described. Prince of Peace is also a beautiful song about Isaiah 9:6. I'm not sure if he wrote it for Christmas but it sure would qualify. Listening to the CD was quite a treat--I found myself alternately laughing and crying!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for the encouraging comments!
ReplyDeleteMan, I wish we lived closer. Maybe some of your crafy-creative-spontaneity would rub off on me. I lack direction. (OK, I'm lazy.)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great project, and a wonderful menorah! I love it!
Dy
Dy, wish you lived closer, too! You could stop by and I'd make us a HUGE pot of coffee. :-D
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