Every year brings a new debate to our family and extended family between holidays. I celebrate Hanukkah, and of course, there is also Christmas. Now that there are a number of generations and in-laws and out-laws, it gets even more complicated . . . So how does one keep peace without selling out? How does anyone do the politically correct thing these days without someone being offended? I swear, for some people, part of the enjoyment of the season is to offend or be offended! A few years ago, I felt compelled to stop buying gifts for Hanukkah in a Christmas knock-off sort of fashion. It's interesting that America is the main country that actually has gifts for Hanukkah, and that of course is to keep up with America's celebration of Christmas. Even Thanksgiving, which maybe once upon a time, was some sort of special day of giving thanks, but somehow turned into gluttony and TV; has become opening day of Shopping Season. It just seems, everything in our country is celebrated with STUFF, and not just any stuff, trendy, has to be purchased; stuff!
Now back to my decision a few years ago. I began buying very personal "gift encouraging" gifts for my grandchildren. Eight gifts to encourage their gifts was the plan. I even started getting my parents puzzles and hobby sort of things. Well, that worked for at least one year in a row, before the row . . .
This year, due to circumstances beyond my control, I've determined that there really isn't enough information in Scripture as to the proper celebration of the Feast of Dedication [Hanukkah], but since the word dedication is part of the festival, it seems very wrong to treat it casually or compromising, so this is what I've decided to do. I will personally celebrate the Dedication of the Temple, which now is a personal and individual decision with our lifestyle with each of my grandchildren when I see them. I've already promised my Granddaughter a shopping trip to whatever store she needs to get supplies for her gifts, when she visits and fried food to signify the lasting oil is awesome anytime, because we should be letting our light shine at all times. So we can have latkes in June, it'll be okay. I'm taking this opportunity to not participate in something I don't believe in and to teach and encourage something I do. With the Temple not standing in Jerusalem and the Messiah not born in December, we need to get dedicated to what we actually believe, and I just don't think my beliefs should revolve around something to buy! I think my beliefs have more value and standard than the US dollar. So, I plan to spend TIME with my grandchildren when that is available and encourage their gifts that G-d has given them. If it's a trip to the hobby shop, great. If it's a trip to the Hardware Store, so be it. If it's an evening at the auction, all right! If it's a day of rifling through my paints and hobby projects, how fun! And if it's new ideas and supplies for the business they will inherit, also a grand plan! Since Scripture says, our bodies are now the temple of the Great Spirit of G-d, and although I am prepared to back my time with purchasing power, I intend to give the gift of encouragement for the gifts G-d has placed in each of them.
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