This morning you were invited to add a word to the giant paper menorah at the back of the sanctuary. The question, simple, one word on what you are waiting for. If you have not added a word and would like to, please do so now.
Today many Unitarian Universalist congregations are telling the story of Hanukkah. It’s an exciting story and in some ways, I will endeavor the same, however I am not Jewish, or even jew-atarian jew-aversalist. Hanukkah is not my celebration, it is not my tradition, it is not my birthright. There is a truth universally acknowledged, that UU’s believe everything, and more exacting that we haphazardly UU-ify traditions with a careless disregard. Anything goes…so at 11:15 in the morning, lets spark up a menorah, which should really be lit at sundown, jive a little Hebrew, and sing dreidel dreidel dreidel. That is not this Lesson. More importantly that is not the intention of the six sources, including Judeo-Christian, upon which we draw tradition.
There is no real menorah here. Instead the children will make up our menorah, with the center candle, the helper candle from which all the candles on a menorah are lit, the chalice! A Jewish colleague of mine recently reminded me that it is not always the lesson that matters, but the process in the learning. If the children will get in formation…behind me.
The process of Hanukkah is simple, and surprisingly Unitarian Universalist. Like our free and progressive faith, Hanukkah, is not based in creed, there is no Hanukkah in the Torah. Hanukkah means dedication, and is about a tribe of Jews called the Maccabees, standing together on the side of love in a fight for freedom. It is by their deeds, determination, and a touch of magic or faith, which makes a dram of oil last 8 days.
Today we honor Hanukkah and use it as ritual context when asking “What Are You Waiting For.” The Maccabees were waiting for the persecution to end. They were waiting for the oil to run out…as they were in hiding. I invite you to think about your deeds, endeavor determination, and to believe in a little magic to help uncover your free and responsible search for truth and meaning before the oil runs out. Hanukkah lasts for 8 days, tonight will be the Fifth day of Hanukkah, so this morning we will only light 4 candles starting from the left. And now let the lighting begin!
We light from our Chalice: the first candle to be like the Maccabees and have the strength that we need to never become our own foe.
From our chalice we light our second candle for those who added a word to our Community Menorah, who might suffer a pain from so long ago.
From our chalice we light our third candle that reminds us to believe in community and not let fear ever tear us apart
From our chalice we light our fourth candle to bring us together with love and service for justice and peace in our heart
And together we dedicate these candles to whatever you are waiting for, as Unitarian Universalist, as the church of the open mind, the church of the loving heart, and the church the helping hands. Together we work for peace in our world and today, light the legend and welcome Hanukkah!
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