December Daily (day seven)

Almost done with Hanukkah.
I have enjoyed the small candle lighting ritual immensely.
Each night we have adapted the mantra just a tad.
When we light the candles I ask the children why we are celebrating Hanukkah.
Based on their responses we now say,

"light over darkness, good over evil, who we are over what we have"

Read more...

December Daily (day three) photo friday edition

I wanted to share this menorah Molly and I made on Wednesday. This is my first time having one and I am enjoying it. I have been using chabad.org to guide our small observance of this holiday. We have our own little ritual. We light the candles at sunset and say, "in celebration of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration and of spirituality over materiality." And to me those are some powerful words to recognize at the start of the holiday season. We leave the candles on about 15 minutes and then blow them out. I was really impressed by how excited Molly was to craft this menorah with me. I think this tradition may be a keeper.

Read more...