Thanksgivukkuh

This is the beginning of the American Thanksgiving weekend and the first full day of Hannukah, the Jewish festival of lights. The two seldom coincide, in fact this is the first time since the early 1800's. Hence the term Thanksgivukkah. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2013/11/22/november-22-2013-thanksgivukkah/21194/  To this we can add the beginning of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas.

The U.S. postal service has issued a stamp to commemorate Hannukah, which is considered a minor holiday but is certainly worth acknowledging. I've always had a soft spot for Hannukah.

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration of ritual and remembrance. Central to the holiday is the lighting of the hanukiah, the nine-branched menorah used only at Hanukkah.The 2013 Hanukkah stamp features a photograph of a beautiful forged-iron menorah created by Vermont blacksmith Steven Bronstein, who uses the ancient techniques of blacksmithing to create modern designs.

This is a lovely confluence of religious and quasi-religious traditions which celebrate gratitude and illumination in the darkness. We have been invited to a Hannukah party on Saturday night and our host is loaning several menorahs to put on display at Bridge St. United Church following worship on Sunday. I enjoy the lighting of Advent candles through the season and this year our music director Terry Head, has chosen an Advent setting of Christ Be Our Light http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sitesec=1.2.4.0&workid=3616 as the musical accompaniment to the lighting of the candles.

Living our gratitude for the fullness of the blessings God has bestowed upon us is an awakening and illumination, so it is great that all three coincide in 2013.

This is a serious topic but the lighter side is comedian Adam Sandler's tribute to Hanukkah and Judaism called the Hanukkah Song. He points out that all Three Stooges were Jewish, along with many other luminaries. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd1Pyu9_rxo

Were you aware that Advent, Hanukkah, and American Thanksgiving were all bumping up against each other this weekend? What are your thoughts about any or all of these festivals?