Happy Chanukah, Steve! Hope the photo isn't offensive or anything....I thought it was cute because it reminds me of where you live.
Although I have seen pictures of the Menorah, and heard about Chanukah, I really don't know much about it except that it was usually celebrated about the same time we celebrate Christmas. Knowing that December 25th actually is a pagan celebration day, and has nothing to do with Christians (even though we usually celebrate it anyway), it has seemed to me that the tradition of keeping days that were considered as Holy Days in Biblical times makes a lot more sense than celebrating a pagan day does. Thank you for sharing this blessing with us, @Steve North , and I am also wishing you a happy Chanukah as well. I had to look the word up to see what the celebration is actually for, and I wanted to share this here for anyone else who wants a little background on what Chanukah is all about, and why it is spelled at least a couple of different ways. Perhaps Steve has a better explanation to share with us ? http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/605036/jewish/q2
Interesting site @Yvonne Smith , I'm learning all sorts of things this Christmas. I find the more I learn of other's beliefs, the more I can understand how and why they think as they do.
Thank-you everyone for the good wishes.. I'm glad that some of you looked up the meaning of Chanukah and know what it is all about and why it is an important holiday... I will be lighting my Menorah every day for the 8 days..
When my kids were young and still home, we celebrated both. Was only a teeny bit confusing when the first night of Hanukkah fell on Christmas Eve. I miss those days. Happy holidays to everyone here- whichever one/ones you observe