According to the proclamation, Hanukkah should be celebrated with gladness and joy. The focus seemed to have been on the temple and the altar that was rebuilt and rededicated.
“56 So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days and joyfully offered burnt offerings; they offered a sacrifice of well-being and a thanksgiving offering. 57 They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests and fitted them with doors. 58 There was very great joy among the people……… 59Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year”.
Today Hanukkah has become very glamorous, competing with the festivities, decorations and music of Christmas. The temptation during this season for both children and adults is overwhelming. We do not need to compete to make our celebration similar to or better than those of the nation. Giving and receiving gift definitely make us happy, and there is no crime in doing so, but we should remember the purpose of this celebration and never minimize or forget the sacrifice made by these men and women. There is no significance in the giving of gifts or the expectations of getting gifts during these eight days. Hanukkah should not be considered the Hebrew equivalent of Christmas.
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