8 Happy Days & Nights of Hanukkah

Tonight my children and I had the joy of celebrating the 4th night of Hanukkah (and Shabbat) with the Davis Family and their amazing friends!  It was an awesome evening for me and the kids.  M lit the Shabbat candles and said a prayer, we broke bread and drank the fruit of the vine together.  We then heard MD tell us the story of Hanukkah (which means "dedication", recalls a dark time in the history of the Jewish people, and their miraculous deliverance from that darkness. This eight-day holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the army of Antiochus Epiphanes, a time when God preserved and protected his people through the heroic act of a small band of Jewish guerilla fighters. For Jewish people, it's a time to light the menorah, give gifts, sing songs and feel proud that they were able to stand up to their enemies. For Jewish believers in Jesus, the "festival of lights" or festival of dedication, reminds them of their deliverance through "the Light of the world," Jesus Christ ).   We learned about the "servant" candle on the Menora and how it is the first to be lit and it is the one that then lights the other candles (for Messianic Jews and for us Christians, that servant candle represents Jesus).  We ate some very yummy food and enjoyed eachother's company while the kids played.  Then MD gathered the kids, pulled out the  chocolate coins and dreydls and he taught the kids how to play the game...they had a blast, especially JT, who asked me if we could get some dreydles so that we could play.  It was a great evening for the kids and for mom to fellowship with such wonderful people!  I am truly blessed - God has blessed me with new friends that are amazing and willing to share their awesome traditions of their Jewish faith - thank you D Family for a very Happy Hanukkah!





    

 

J had a great time with his buddy, too!