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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Light Just One Candle

The festival Hanukkah began at midnight on December 21st. It is an is a eight-day holiday and thus ended yesterday. Therefore, it is really too late for me to say Happy Hanukkah—or, Chanukah, if you prefer.

The story of Hanukkah is based upon history. You can read the entire historical background of Judah Maccabee and his four brothers in the deuterocanonical books of the Maccabees.

Central to the festival is the menorah. If you read any of the references in the above paragraph, then you grasp the significance of the lighted candles.

The flames symbolize not only remembrance of the rededication of the temple after its desecration, but also that Light of God—of God’s Love, Justice, and Peace—cannot be put out.

All we need do is to light one candle.




Light one candle for the maccabee children
With thanks that their light didnt die
Light one candle for the pain they endured
When their right to exist was denied
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice
Justice and freedom demand
But light one candle for the wisdom to know
When the peacemakers time is at hand

Chorus:
Dont let the light go out!
Its lasted for so many years!
Dont let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears.

Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe
And light one candle for those who are suffering
Pain we learned so long ago
Light one candle for all we believe in
That anger not tear us apart
And light one candle to find us together
With peace as the song in our hearts

(chorus)

What is the memory thats valued so highly
That we keep it alive in that flame? 
Whats the commitment to those who have died
That we cry out theyve not died in vain? 
We have come this far always believing
That justice would somehow prevail
This is the burden, this is the promise
This is why we will not fail!

(chorus)

Dont let the light go out!
Dont let the light go out!
Dont let the light go out!

Shalom, my friends.

Salaam, my friends.

Peace, my friends.

Please take a moment and click over to Listening to the Tune in Dialogue, a blog related to Radio Salaam Shalom, an internet radio station for Jewish-Muslim dialogue.

12 comments:

  1. When I lived in KC, I shared holidays with my Jewish friend. I really miss her and the fun of our sharing. Thanks for a nice memory!

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  2. happy belated hanuka.. may it be happier next year and spell freedom to even more people..

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  3. I never knew the history before, thanks for the great links!

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  4. Beautiful and very timely post!

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  5. "... and light one candle for those who are suffering"

    There are so many suffering right now...

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  6. Good post, Nick. I am always touched by your kind heart.

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  7. Wonderful! You are a true blessing to the world!

    Peace, my friend.

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  8. Dear Nick ~~ Great post ~~ a great idea to light one candle. Thanks for sharing it. Also thanks for your comment wiChristmas wishes and now I wish you a Happy, healthy New Year, my friend.
    With Best Wishes, Merle.

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  9. Great post - and I love this Peter, Paul & Mary song. We have their holiday album that has this song on it and I always loved it. We went to see their holiday concert one year at Carnegie Hall when they sang this. It was great to see them in person.

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  10. I love the idea of the flame representing God's love for us that is never ending. Peace, also, to you, Nick.

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  11. Shalom, my friend.
    Salaam, my friend.
    Peace, my friend.

    Blessings to you, Peacemaker Nick!

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  12. Thank you for this wonderful post.

    Geof

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