The Christian Festival of Christmas nearly coincides with the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a Festival of Lights. It is the Jewish celebration of religious freedom. In 165 B.C., Judah the Maccabee overcame the Greco-Syrian armies under the leadership of Antiochus IV, who were occupying Palestine. One of the Maccabees' first acts after reconquering Palestine was to rededicat/e the Temple, particularly the new altar. Their feast of dedication lasted eight days. On the first day, only one candle was lit; on the second, two. On the eighth day, eight candles were lit.

This morning we shall light all eight, and, as in the Jewish custom, we light each candle with a special thought.

1. The first we light in memory of the dedication and the courage of the Maccabees who gave their lives for freedom.
2. The second we light conscious of the precious gift of family.
3. The third we light to rededicate ourselves to the study of our traditions, knowing that learning and understanding secures our freedom.
4. The fourth we light remembering that only through hope is our life illumined and made creative.
5. The fifth we light with the pledge to share our wealth with those in this world who are starving, who are oppressed, who are sick, who are afflicted by prejudice.
6. The sixth we light in rededication to the ancient task of securing religious freedom in our world.
7. The seventh we light in the cause of respect for our fellow human beings in all corners of the globe, in the cause of brotherhood and sisterhood.
8. The eighth we light in rededication to the search for meaning and the quest for a full life. We trust that throughout the coming year, we may constantly strive for the ideals of freedom, charity, family, study, hope, and fellowship.

Taken from a selection from Celebrating Christmas, edited by Carl Seaburg, not currently available from the UUA Bookstore.