Menorah Lighting: Day Three



Today's music is the traditional Israeli folk song, "Shalom Chaverim,"  often sung as a goodbye to others.  Although I was not raised Jewish, I grew up singing this song as part of my Christian heritage, often as an ending to my school day at the Lutheran parochial school I attended as a child.

Shalom, chaverim,

Shalom, chaverim,

Shalom, shalom;

L'hitra'ot,

L'hitra'ot,

Shalom, shalom.

Shalom, o my friends,

Shalom, o my friends,

Shalom, shalom;

Till we meet again,

Till we meet again,

Shalom, shalom.

The Hebrew word shalom is understood by many around the world to mean peace.  The root of the word shalom means to be complete, perfect and full.  This day, as you wish, shalom to those around you, may you bless them with the peace that comes by being in harmony and completeness.

On the third day of Hannukah, the following blessings are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,
and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanakkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♫

Healing Art Challenge: O Christmas Tree

O  Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!  How lovely are your branches!

Here we are, already into our second art challenge for December.  This week we will be creating pieces inspired by the lovely traditional Christmas carol, "O Christmas Tree."  You may paint, write, photograph, bake, gardern, make music.. any creative endeavour you choose.  Please send your submissions to friendsinhealing@grmail.com no later than Thursday, December 10 at 12:00 pm CST time.  Entries that come late or do not directly relate to the theme or the healing nature of the art challenge may not be chosen for the art gallery that will go up that day.  Have a wonderful time decorating your trees!

And here's a little musical inspiration for the week!  Enjoy! ♪♫♪



Healing Art Gallery: Silent Night

This is the first Healing Art Challenge in a series this month that reinterprets traditional Christmas carols. This week is "Silent Night." I've included a music player for you to listen as you view the wordes and images. (You may want to turn it off for the one video submission we have this week.)

As always, please leave a kind note if you appreciate or are inspired by any of these lovely pieces!  And thank you to all of our participants!  Check back tomorrow for the theme for next week!





~Hawk3y15








Silent night...

~Forktail

Holy night...

~Forktail

All is calm...

~shiny

All is bright...

~letmebe

Round yon virgin...

~zoo

Mother and child...

~magiccat

Holy infant so...

~Lady J

Tender and mild...

~magiccat

Sleep in heavenly peace...

~playcrane

Sleep in heavenly peace.

~Vimsen

~HiddenChild

Menorah Lighting: Day Two

Today pay particular attention to the shamash, the candle which is in the middle and is used to light all the other candles.  (I've made it dance a little bit when the candles are lit to make it stand out.)  In Hebrew, the word "shamash" means "attendant" or "sexton."  On the menorah, the shamash is used to light all the other candles.  Today take time to reflect on ways you can be a "shamash" to the world around you.

On the second day of Hannukah, the following blessings are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanakkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♥.

Menorah Lighting: Day One

This is a special holiday gift to all my Jewish brothers and sisters.  Each day of Hanukkah I will be posting a movie made using my original artwork to show the lighting of the menorah.  Hannukah is the Festival of Lights.  The menorah is set near a window or a door so that all those who pass by on the outside, as well as those who live on the inside, can see it's lights and reflect on God's faithfulness and provision.

Hanukkah celebrates events that took place in Judea, which is now Israel, over 2,300 years ago.  Judea had a Syrian king named Antiochus who ordered the Jewish people to reject their faith and customs in order to worship Greek gods.  Judah Maccabee and his brothers formed an army in opposition to this, and after three years if fighting they were successful in driving out the Syrians from Judea and reclaiming the Temple in Jerusalem.  After cleaning the Greeks symbols and statues out of the Temple, they wanted to light the Eternal Light, which is present in every Jewish house of worship.  Only a tiny jug of oil was found, with only enough oil for one day.  The lamp was filled and lit and then a miracle occurred for it was able to stay lit, not for one day, but for eight days.

On the first night, the following blessings are  recited...

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanakkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who has kept us alive,

and has preserved us,

and enabled us to reach this time.