"in your light do we see light"

Above we are posing with Daniel and his family at a Hanukkah celebration.

Yesterday was the last day of Hanukkah. Our friend Daniel invited us to a celebration at his Messianic Jewish congregation. You might remember that we had visited several weeks ago. Our experience this time was as refreshing. Families, youth, children, old Russian couples all gathered to celebrate the festival of lights.

We always feel at home in this congregation - a feeling of community, family, and God's welcome. Highlights of the evening include:
-getting a sneak peak of the skit to music some of the youth were practicing
- a menorah made from oil lamps from Nazareth Village, smoke pouring out of the wicks and making the front of the room hazy
-Daniel's Hebrew message translated into Russian. We had our own private translator who sat beside us and translated into English. Most of the time this was a friendly middle aged Russian father who had lived in the states, sometimes it was his daughter, sometimes his son.
-A four year old girl invited to stand on a stool in front as an example of the teachings of parents being passed on to the next generation. When asked what message the Bible has to offer, she said "That it is all going to be ok." When asked she then sang a sweet Jewish blessing.
-a group of youth girls dancing a beautiful circle dance (made us think of Brian)
-games for the children including one where they had to carry an egg around the room using a spoon held in their mouth (I remember this from camp!)
-snacks after the service including the very important Hanukkah doughnut - filled, with powdered sugar on top.

Celebration.

Daniel gave a message, lighting one side of the menorah, explaining that this is the blessing to the Jewish people. The tall candle in the middle is called the "servant" candle and is used to light the others. For Messianic Jews this servant is Jesus. Daniel explained that the menorah is not complete with only one side lighted. The other side is the Gentile people of all the world. The Jewish people, with the light of Christ, are to take the good light of Jesus to all the world. He then lit the other four candles.

(this video is for you, Brian Farrell!)