“That’s what Hanukkah is about: trying to survive the darkness on the far-fetched hope there’s still some life and light left in the universe. It’s more than just a religious story. The days have been growing shorter, imperceptibly but inescapably darker … Heading into the night of the winter solstice, every spiritual tradition has some kind of festival of light. We’re all just whistling in the dark, hoping against hope that someone up there will see these little Hanukkah candles and get the hint.” — Lawrence Kushner

This is the first night of Hannukah. This is the time Jews around the world gather as families for eight nights to tell the old story of a great miracle involving light.

For more information please visit:

https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/hanukkah

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish/What-Is-Hanukkah.htm

Genie’s Note: This is an oldie but goodie from 2017. Enjoy and take a minute to think of ways you can spread joy through random acts of Christmas or whatever holiday you may be celebrating.

One thing I like to do for the holidays is give a small (very small) token gift to people at random.   One year I hung handmade angel ornaments anonymously on neighbor’s door knobs.  Other years I have given candy canes or tea bags from a display on our door (we spent a lot of years in apartments). 

One year I grabbed a handful of holiday stick pins from our Christmas box (when Bob worked for a toy, novelty and gift company) as we were leaving for church and pinned them on people who were very special to me.   And of course, I have given away more plates of holiday goodies than I can count.

Several years ago, I gave a kid’s party for grownups. We sang carols, talked about our favorite holiday memories, made crafts and of course we ate goodies. Reindeer antlers were given out at the door and I handed out the leftovers on my daily walk.   Remember I live in a senior community.  I’ve never seen so many women over fifty smile and giggle.

What I remember most about all the things I have given out over the holidays is the reaction of the people receiving them.  Most have reacted like instead of a mere token I gave them gold.  People like to be remembered and appreciated, especially in a way that does not make them feel obligated in any way.

This year more than ever we truly “need a little Christmas.” I hope you will think about Random Acts of Christmas, Hannukah, Solstice, or whatever else you may celebrate.  This isn’t about spending a lot of money or any money for that matter.  The thought really does count.