Hanukkah is also known as the Jewish festival of lights. Many traditions around the globe have holidays that are celebrated with lights during this dark time of year. Some people mistakenly think that Hanukkah is simply a celebration of a combat victory for the Jews. However, the story has many significant themes from which religious liberals can draw inspiration.

It is a story about standing up for what you believe and it offers a reminder not to remain silent in the face of oppression, and not to surrender one's rights or identities. For the Jews it also marks the end of Greek rule over the Temple in Jerusalem. The story includes a miracle. The lamp in the temple is said to have burned for eight days even though it only had oil for one more day.

In this season of miracles and lights, there is a lot at the heart of Hanukkah to inspire us and fill us with hope.

Living in fear can be debilitating. Fear can be used to control and manipulate people. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been a new level of public fear in the United States that has caused some Americans to be willing to give up certain rights and freedoms. No doubt, a fear of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of Saddam Hussein helped create the political will that perpelled American troops into Iraq. Fear of hell in the next life keeps some people going to church (not our church however!).

Yet, fear is not all bad and all fear is not equal. In our culture there is a fear of fear. Therefore, fear has an uneccesarily bad reputation. In my sermon, "Be Not Afraid," one of the points is to not be afraid of fear.