Hope in the Dark

Celebrating Our Common Goals

Chanuka Menora, Nativity in Église Saint-Médard de Paris

Greetings!

December brings holidays with roots in diverse lands! As a small child, I was enchanted by different countries and customs. With wonder, I touched wooden shoes, maracas and other items on a display in our kindergarten classroom. Although I dearly wish I’d studied French in school, our California education included middle school studies of Latin America, and our high school Spanish class traveled to downtown Los Angeles to attend a festive Las Posadas production. I enjoyed it all! The colors. The traditions. The food!

This year, Chanukah and Christmas fall on the same day! As we strive for common ground, I find this significant. Yes, the dates of each holiday are based on a complex set of rules and traditions. When I taught school, my class produced our little newspaper, the Skywriter. Each year we would feature articles about the traditions and history of various holidays. I learned a lot--along with my students.

So, with wonder – I celebrate the messages of Chanukah and Christmas! The Jewish festival, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the miracle of a small quantity of oil (enough to last a day) lasting eight days in the Temple which had just been recaptured to restore it to its holy purpose. For Christians, Christmas celebrates the birth of the Light of the World, Jesus, who was sent to provide a path of redemption and everlasting life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Notably, Jesus celebrated Chanukah, the “Feast of Dedication” which commemorated the rededication of the Temple.

It is rare that Chanukah and Christmas fall on the same day. Since 1910, this has only occurred four times. Chanukah occurs on different dates as the Hebrew calendar is based on the Lunisolar calendar, and Christmas is based on the Gregorian calendar.

Both holidays celebrate the power of Light over Darkness – Hope in a chaotic world. Other winter festivals, including Winter Solstice, Santa Lucia Day, Yaldā, and Dongzhi (Chinese Winter Solstice), celebrate light in the darkness.

What is your hope this winter? How do you plan to help repair brokenness in our world? I am borrowing the words of Michael Korenblit from “Christmas and Hanukkah share a date this year. Their connection runs even deeper” published in the Oklahoman today:

“One of the most important Jewish concepts in my life is Tikun Olam, the importance of repairing a broken world. In that regard, I have a hopeful list:

• That the hostages being held in Gaza, both alive and deceased, will be returned to their families

• That the war will end, as well as the suffering of all those in Gaza

• That all children in Oklahoma, the United States and around the world who go to bed hungry will get the food and nourishment that they need

• That people everywhere will receive the health care they need to lead their best life

• That all other conflicts throughout the world can be resolved

• And that we would, together, all abide by the Golden Rule, which is in every religion: to treat others as we wish to be treated.”

What is your hopeful list and what are you plans to help achieve these goals?

As a Christ-follower, I believe Jesus is the Light of the World in whom we place our ultimate hope. However, we are called daily to emulate Christ’s behavior. We are called to show compassion generosity, humility and mort of all, love.

How can we prepare to be shining stars of hope in 2025?

Wherever you are, alone or with family and friends, I wish you a very Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas!

Inspired by all of you,

Janis