Chanukah celebrates miracles–the miracle of a small army defeating a large one, of a small jug of oil that should only have burned for one day lasting eight days instead.
This year Chanukah and Christmas fall during the same week. Christmas is about miracles, too–the miraculous birth of Jesus.
It doesn’t really matter if you believe either of these stories are true. Our wisdom teachers–the Kabbalists in particular–tell us that this is a time when we can access the energy of miracles.
As we soak in the light of the Chanukah candles–or any candles–we can become receivers of miracles. Like the oil put into receptacles used to create light, we can make ourselves receptacles for God’s goodness.
Light has always been associated with God. And the Kabbalists say God created us as receivers. We need only open ourselves to that light, allow it in…make room for it in our lives and with ourselves.
How do we do this? I suggest we spend eight days considering the miracles in our lives already. Gratitude is the strongest prayer of all, so why not consider the miracles we already have in our lives, and be thankful for them? Each night, thank God for a small or large miracle you now experience or have experienced over the last year.
Bask in the glow of miracles.
If you want, you can also imagine the miracles you’d like bestowed upon you in the coming year. Offer gratitude for them–as if God had already graced you with them.
Bask in the glow of these miracles as well.
Eight days of miracles…When you spend more than a week considering miracles, you’ll realize you live a miraculous life all the time. You’ll appreciate the miracle of life and the miraculous nature of God.
That’s the miracle of truly observing Chanukah.
Thank you for sharing. I feel your pain and I shed some tears because I can relate to it all. Your story brought back memories of my first dog, Bear. I had to put him down at the age of 14 1/2.
My 28 year marriage ended just over a year ag
Yes, chatting, especially about anything sexual is cheating. If my husband was doing that I would consider him cheating on me. Be sooooo careful when meeting this man, people can be who they want to be online.
Yes I have thick legs with thick ankles, my Dad's! Tights the same color as the dress or bone shoes with bare legs. Not a straight skirt and never patterned stockings or leggings!
Thank you NinaAmir. Yes, keep fresh oil in your lamp. I just witnessed the miracle of a sunrise. Now I will spend time thanking Him for it too. Have a lovely time as you celebrate the season of miracles in your life~!
Miracles are everywhere! Thanks for your comment.
I love Hanukkah. With each candle I light, the light becomes brighter. Just as the days begin to get longer, dispelling the darkness of Winter.
May your Hanukkah be as bright as the candles you light.
Yes, it’s a lovely holiday. I enjoy sitting in the light of the candles with my family. However, you are traditionally supposed to put the candles in the window to shine the light out into the world. We have no neighbors to see the light…