Last year we celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas as a way to introduce it to our kids and ourselves less abruptly. I wasn't sure my husband was ready to abandon Christmas, and honestly, I wasn't nearly as convinced that we needed to. I really had just begun considering incorporating Jewish feasts and hadn't discovered the long buried Christian mistake of adding pagan Christmas to our religious calendars. I had heard years earlier from my friend, but still had not been convinced by the Holy Spirit until later on in the Spring.
Nonetheless, I think it was a nice transition. If I had announced to my 13, 10, and 7 year olds that there would be no more Christmas and that instead we'd celebrate Hanukkah from now on without having allowed them the privilege of experiencing it last year, there would have been tears and all sorts of drama that just isn't necessary. After having both holidays last year, they learned to see some of the beauty of the eight days of Hanukkah before we excommunicated Christmas altogether.
As we announced it this year, they seemed actually ok with the change. We never made a big deal out of Santa anyway and as long as there are still presents they'll make the best of it. Of course, our children actually enjoyed the Bible study time we did each night at dinner, the candle lightings and getting presents for eight days as well. We didn't even incorporate games or entertainment really last year. I had wanted to, but I just didn't really plan enough.
This year, we won't even be in our own home, so there will be a different feel once again. I may even have to suffer through a Christmas tree in the living room, but God has a purpose in everything and I am thankful that we will be sharing the season with the good friends who have offered to let the six of us share their home over the next several months while our house is being built.
So, last night I began researching some material for believers who celebrate Hanukkah and I found a remarkable little book online, entitled, Hanukkah, the Light is the Messiah. It's completely free, posted by other believers who feel the same as we do. And it is comprehensive! It starts with a parable that somewhat explains why we celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas any longer, and continues to include almost everything we need to do it well. I have just begun reading it because it is quite in depth and lengthy, but here is the link just in case someone else is searching too and happens to stumble upon this article instead of their book first. http://www.haydid.org/hanukkah.pdf
To the family who wrote this beautiful description and explanation and detail account of how to celebrate, I offer my sincerest thanks! It is so wonderful to discover others who have gone before us in this wonderful adventure.
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